2 from IL dead after serious crash on I-57 in Mississippi Co., MO

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - The southbound lanes of Interstate 57 in Mississippi County, Missouri reopened just before 10:30 a.m. after a serious crash on Wednesday morning, January 2.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two people died in the crash and one child was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

The next-of-kin have been notified.

Killed in the crash were the driver, Natasha L. Newton, 26, of Mounds, Illinois. Joshua A. Bankson, 35, of Villa Ridge, Ill. died in the crash as well. A 1-year-old from Mounds, Ill. received serious injuries.

A call came into Mississippi County, Missouri Sheriff’s Department around 7:30 a.m. about a single vehicle crash.

According to a highway patrol investigator, a vehicle drove off the side of the roadway at the 3.2 mile marker and hit a tree just south of the Bertrand, Mo. exit.

According to Mississippi County officials, the caller said a person was dead in a car while a child sat in the back seat.

Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Clark Parrott said a number of people were taken out of the vehicle.

The southbound lanes of I-57 were closed down so a helicopter could land to take the child to a hospital, according to Parrott.

Traffic was diverted through Bertrand.

The vehicle was towed from the scene.

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