Meth explosion kills driver in Franklin County

SULLIVAN, Mo. (AP) -- Methamphetamine makers would not be deterred by this week's deadly explosion of chemicals used to make the drug, a Franklin County drug authority predicts.

"This won't make a damned difference," said Cpl. Jason Grellner, commander of the Franklin County drug unit. "Five minutes after he's buried, they're going to be back to making dope with anhydrous ammonia."

On Wednesday, a tank filled with anhydrous ammonia exploded in rural Franklin County southwest of St. Louis, killing a suspected meth manufacturer and seriously injuring his sister-in-law.

The blast occurred in the rear of a car that later crashed into a ditch near the entrance to a small subdivision near Sullivan. Four homes in the subdivision temporarily were evacuated.

Michael D. Mesey, 44, of Union, died shortly after a propane tank filled with anhydrous ammonia erupted, spraying him and a 42-year-old relative with a caustic liquid and filling the car with deadly vapors.

The survivor was listed in satisfactory condition Friday at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in suburban St. Louis.

Police say Mesey was the target of several meth investigations and that he planned to either use the fertilizer to make the illegal drug or sell it to those who would.

Grellner said the 20-pound propane tank was filled with anhydrous ammonia with no room left for the chemical to expand. He said that's what caused "a catastrophic eruption," drenching the victims in the most dangerous ingredient used to make meth.

Anhydrous ammonia is used as an industrial refrigerant and as a fertilizer.

Inhaling its vapors can cause permanent lung damage, and direct exposure to anhydrous ammonia liquid often proves fatal.