Self-inflicted gunshot wound preceded I-55 accident

The man who was hit by a tractor-trailer Tuesday morning on Interstate 55 apparently suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face in the moments before exiting his vehicle, police said Tuesday afternoon. The victim, whose identity was not released Tuesday, was in serious condition in the late afternoon with life-threatening injuries at a St. Louis hospital.

Police are not releasing details regarding the investigation due to the sensitivity of the incident but they are investigating the incident as a suicide, said department spokesman Darin Hickey.

"We will use every investigative tool at our disposal during the investigation, whether it be the medical staff, trained investigators or anything else," Hickey said. The victim's "family is aware of the situation, but to comment on how they know is not something we are prepared to release. It's a very sensitive situation for the family involved, and we want to keep them in mind during our investigation."

Police and medical personnel responded to the call at about 9 a.m. Tuesday to I-55's easternmost southbound lane near mile marker 90. Upon arriving, they learned that a man had exited a truck and had been hit by an 18-wheel tractor-trailer. The man was transported to an area hospital before being transported to a hospital in St. Louis. The southbound lanes were closed for more than an hour as police investigated the scene. The lanes were opened separately within about 15 minutes of each other.

It was only after the man was taken to the hospital that police learned of the self-inflicted gunshot wound, although they were not ready to definitively rule it a suicide attempt, Hickey said.

Hickey said police also couldn't say if the act of walking into traffic was intentional.

"We would have to speak to him or get some cut-and-dry evidence," Hickey said. "Unless we actually talk to him, there's no way to know if it was an intentional act to step out in the roadway or if he just exited the vehicle and was struck."

Police along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol's crash team are studying the evidence to determine the sequence of events, Hickey said. The victim's vehicle is in police custody as the investigation continues.

At least one man witnessed the morning accident as he was hauling grain to Scott City in a semi. Jeff Petzoldt of Olive Branch, Ill., saw the victim apparently trying to cross the interstate when the tractor-trailer hit him.

"The guy driving did everything he could. He about flipped his rig trying to swerve," Petzoldt said.

Petzoldt stopped his tractor-trailer and rushed to try to help the victim. The man couldn't speak and was gasping to breathe, Petzoldt said.

"Blood was everywhere," he said. "It was very disturbing to see. It's a hell of a way to start your day. But I hope he makes it. I'm praying for him."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Interstate 55, Cape Girardeau, MO