CAPE WOMAN DIES IN I-55 ACCIDENT

A 24-year-old Cape Girardeau woman died in a two-car crash when her car spun out of control on Interstate 55 Tuesday afternoon, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

About 4:36 p.m., Kimberly Hulett was killed when she lost control of her car, which was traveling north on I-55, said trooper Rich Pipkin of the highway patrol. It occurred at the 118 mile marker, just north of the Route KK exit in Cape Girardeau County.

Hulett's 1993 Eagle crossed the grassy median where it spun around 180 degrees and was struck in the rear by a white 1997 Chevrolet Venture mini-van that was southbound on the interstate, Pipkin said.

The front end of the mini-van was damaged. Louie Parker, 64, and Faye Parker, 60, both of Jackson, Mo., were taken by ambulance to Southeast Missouri Hospital, the trooper said. Both of the Parkers were wearing safety belts.

Faye Parker had reportedly received serious injuries, while Louie Parker's injuries were moderate.

The car driven by Hulett suffered apparent fire damage to the front end, and severe damage to the rest of the car.

Hulett was pronounced dead at the scene by John Clifton, deputy coroner for Cape Girardeau County. She was not wearing a safety belt, the highway patrol reported.

Southbound traffic on I-55 was stopped for more than an hour as members of the highway patrol, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department and North County Fire District investigated and cleaned up the scene.

Fatal accidents on Missouri roads have increased by 5 percent from this time last year, the highway patrol said.