Man dies of injuries in crash

Southeast Missourian

An 85-year-old New Madrid, Mo., man died from a one-car accident at 10:22 a.m. Tuesday on Interstate 55, just north of Route AB, according to Cape Girardeau police.

Bennet Commer was a passenger in a car driven by Benjamin Syas, 50, the police report said.

The car had left the roadway while northbound, striking a guard rail on the west side of the road, the report said. The vehicle recrossed the northbound lanes and struck a concrete bridge rail.

Commer had been lying in the back seat of the vehicle, said Sgt. Barry Hovis, and was not wearing a seat belt.

He and another passenger, Betty Commer, 80, sustained injuries and were transported to Saint Francis Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:04 a.m.