Victims identified in double-fatal Perry County crash

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Two men died as a result of a two-vehicle accident Wednesday on Highway 51 near Perryville.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two Poplar Bluff, Mo., men were killed when the Chrysler minivan they were traveling in ran head-on into a tractor-trailer on Highway 51, near Perry County Road 706.

The dead were identified as William R. Meyer, 62, and John R. O'Connor, 61. Meyer was the van's driver. Both men were pronounced dead at 4:30 p.m. by Perry County Coroner Herb Miller.

The tractor-trailer driver, Willard P. Haberman, 46, of Sedgewickville, was taken to Perry County Memorial Hospital by private vehicle with minor injuries.

All three men were wearing seat belts.