RAIN GETS BLAME FOR ACCIDENTS

Tuesday's rain, coupled with motorists following too closely, led to numerous minor accidents in the city, police said. No injuries were reported.

Cape Girardeau police reported 11 accidents in a six-hour period from Tuesday morning to early afternoon. The first accident was reported at 7:05 a.m., the last at 1:08 p.m.

Sgt. Al Moore said late Tuesday afternoon he had reviewed most of the accident reports and everything he saw was attributable to the rain. He said also that motorists were not allowing enough room between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.

"Any time you get that first rain after a dry spell, you've got oil built up on the pavement," Moore said. "They (motorists) don't allow extra room for stopping."

Moore, head of the department's traffic division, said most of the accidents were minor and rear-end collisions.

The majority of accidents occurred in west Cape Girardeau, said Moore.

In one accident, police said, a vehicle driven by William L. Ogborn of 1337 Ashland Hills struck a tree after the driver lost control. The accident was reported at Kage and Timber Lane at 8:12 a.m.

Two accidents reported by police Tuesday dealt with vehicles that struck parked vehicles and left the scene. The first accident, reported at 7:40 a.m., occurred at 900 Normal. A vehicle belonging to Connie Pearson of 1228 West Cape Rock was hit.

Struck in the second accident was a vehicle owned by Staci L. Hengst of Route 1. That accident was reported at the same location, 900 Normal, at 1:06 p.m.