CAPE MAN DIES AFTER TWO-VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 61

An employee of TCI Cablevision was killed Wednesday in an accident near the junction of Highway 61 and Interstate 55 in Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau police Sgt. Carl Kinnison said the victim, James Hampson III, 27, of 55 N. Pindwood was headed north on Highway 61 when the TCI truck he was driving was struck in the side by a vehicle. The truck rolled several times, ejecting him from the vehicle.

The accident occurred about 9:30 p.m.

Hampson was transported to St. Francis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:20 a.m.

Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Carpenter said Hampson died as a result of massive head injuries.

"As best I can determine," Carpenter said, "he was not wearing a seat belt."

The driver of the other vehicle, Susan Scholl, 37, of Frohna was cited for alleged failure to yield right of way. She was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released.

"He was an excellent employee," Roger Harms, general manager of TCI Cablevision in Cape Girardeau, said of Hampson. "He was well-liked by all of the employees. This has shaken us all up."

Harms said Hampson had worked for TCI for about five-and-a-half years. He said he was a technician who performed line maintenance and operated a bucket truck.