MATTHEWS MAN DIES IN TRAIN ACCIDENT

MATTHEWS -- A Matthews man was killed early Saturday morning after his car was struck by a freight train at a railroad crossing, the Missouri Highway Patrol said.

James S. Lewis, 21, was killed in the accident at Route H in Matthews at 12:45 a.m. Saturday.

The patrol reported Lewis was traveling west when he failed to stop at the crossing with flashing lights. His car was pushed seven-tenths of a mile before the train came to a stop.

The northbound Burlington Northern train was engineered by Richard Graviett, 42, of Chaffee.

The death brings the total of fatal traffic accidents in Southeast Missouri to 73 for the year. This month nine people have been killed, compared to just three in November a year ago.