1 driver injured in 5-vehicle crash

NEW MADRID, Mo. -- Five vehicles were involved in an accident Monday on Interstate 55.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that at 2:52 p.m. at the 50.4 mile marker, a southbound vehicle driven by James J. Comtois, 50, of Dewey, Illinois, was slowing when it was struck in the rear by a southbound vehicle driven by Benjamin J. Carter, 36, of East Prairie, Missouri. Carter's vehicle also struck a southbound vehicle driven by Anthony T. Morman, 49, of Cordova, Tennessee, that was on the shoulder of the roadway.

According to the patrol's report, Comtois' vehicle then was stopped in the road when its trailer was struck by a southbound car driven by Dawn M. Mendoza, 50, of Blue Island, Illinois. A southbound car driven by Larry D. Bumgarner, 61, of Springfield, Missouri, then struck the rear of Mendoza's vehicle.

The only person injured in the series of collisions was Comtois. He was taken by ambulance to Missouri Delta Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries.