The identities of those who died and were injured in Wednesday pileup on I-44 just east of Carthage have been released.
Two people were pronounced dead at the scene by Jasper County Coroner Jerry Neil. Anthony D. Embrey, 41, of Joplin, and William Campbell, 31, of Baxter, Tenn., were killed in the accident.
Embrey was a local projects manager for Empire District Electric Co., and Campbell was driving a truck for Willis Shaw Express of Elm Springs, Ark.
Neil said that while both bodies were burned beyond recognition, he has determined that the impact of the accident caused both deaths.
A series of accidents occurred at about 6:40 a.m. Wednesday at the 12-mile marker in the eastbound lane of I-44. The Missouri Highway Patrol is investigating at least three accidents, and possibly more. Two people were injured in one of the accidents and five were injured and two killed in the main accident that closed the eastbound lanes for several hours.
In the three-car accident, James Harrell, 73, of Springfield, and David Wooliver, 64, also of Springfield, received moderate injuries. They were both transported to Freeman Hospital in Joplin by Ambulance. They were both in a 1995 Dodge that struck a 2002 Volvo truck, driven by Ryszard Paprocki. A 2003 Chevrolet driven by Noland Geurin, then struck the Dodge driven by Wooliver.
Missouri Highway Patrol Sgt. Mike Watson said all the accidents were primarily caused by the heavy, dense fog.
The pileup involved 10 vehicles — seven which were totaled, one received extensive damage and two received minor damage
Injured were Bernave Esquirel, 52, of Eagle Pass, Texas. He was taken to St. John’s Hospital by ambulance and is listed in serious condition.
Julia Allison, 41, and Ricky Allison, 62, both of Quapaw, Okla., were airlifted to St. John’s Hospital of Joplin in serious condition. They then were transported to a hospital in Springfield where they were listed in stable condition. Julia is a high school math teacher and her husband drives her to school and picks her up.
Maria Paz, 51, of Springfield, was taken by ambulance to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin with minor injuries.
James Orear, 57, of Joplin, was taken to McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital of Carthage by ambulance with minor injuries.
According to the Missouri Highway patrol report, all the vehicles were driving in fog and struck one another in chain reaction.
Lori Marble, with the information department of the Missouri Department of Transportation, said the highway received little, if any, damage from the accident.
