VAN SKIDS INTO DITCH IN BOOTHEEL, KILLING THREE

RISCO -- Three men were killed Friday when the van they were traveling in skidded off the road, overturned and was submerged in a water-filled ditch, the Missouri Highway Patrol reported.

The accident is believed to have occurred about 1 a.m. Friday at the junction of Highways 153 and 62 at the east city limits of Risco. It was not discovered until after daylight.

Killed were the driver of the van David Owens, 31, of New Madrid; and two passengers, Raylon Johnson, 17, New Madrid, and Carl Lidell, 16, Parma.

All three bodies were taken to the Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

The patrol gave this account:

Owens was driving the van south on Highway 153. The vehicle failed to make the stop at the junction with Highway 62. It skidded through the intersection, ran off the right side of the road, overturned, landing on its top. The van was submerged in a ditch filled with water.