PEDESTRIAN DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY PICKUP

A 23-year-old Charleston man died after he was struck by a pickup truck early Saturday in the 800 block of South Kingshighway.

Cape Girardeau police said Shannon Anthony Mascia was trying to hitch a ride back to Charleston when the accident occurred around 4:40 a.m.

Mascia was struck by a southbound pickup truck as he stood in the outer southbound lane, police said.

The pickup truck was pulling a boat at the time of the accident. The vehicle was driven by Charles S. Clippard of McClure, Ill.

Police said Clippard couldn't see Mascia until he crested a hill. Cape Girardeau County Coroner John Carpenter ruled it an accidental death.

"There was no neglect on the driver's part whatsoever," he said. "He hit his brakes and tried to miss him."

But the left front part of the pickup truck struck Mascia, killing him.

Carpenter said Mascia died from a skull fracture.

Carpenter said a blood test will be done to determine if Mascia had been drinking. He said such a test is required in any fatal traffic accident.