A Cadet man was killed Thursday afternoon (March 7) in a three-vehicle accident on Hwy. 21 north of Eckardt Lane in Hillsboro. One of the vehicles, an Ameren Missouri utility truck, crashed into a nearby apartment building, leaving several people without a home, at least for now, authorities reported.
At 4:40 p.m., Henry E. Rushing, 52, of Cadet was driving a 2017 Ford Focus south on Hwy. 21, crossed the center line and struck the northbound utility truck head-on, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
In an attempt to avoid the collision, Ronald P. Rueff, 50, of House Springs, who was driving the utility truck, a 2015 Freightliner M2 106, steered to the left, and the front of the truck struck the left side of a southbound 2010 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Regina Herrington, 53, of Farmington, the report said.
Then, the truck ran off the highway and struck the apartment building, according to the report.
Rushing was pronounced dead at the scene by Valle Ambulance personnel.
No injuries were reported for Rueff.
Herrington had minor injuries and was treated at the scene by Valle Ambulance personnel.
Brian Gaudet, assistant chief and fire marshal for the Hillsboro Fire Protection District, said several people were inside the four-apartment building in the 11200 block of Hwy. 21 when the truck crashed into it.
“Luckily, they were not injured,” he said. “We evacuated the building.
Gaudet said tenants live in three of the four apartments and will not be able to return until the structure is deemed safe.
“We had to disconnect the power and water,” he said. “It’s not structurally sound.
“Myself and the Jefferson County Building Commission Office are working on a plan of action (for getting the building ready for occupancy again).”
He said the emergency agencies helped the tenants find short-term housing, but they will have to find other housing until the building is deemed structurally sound again.
Gaudet said the accident completely shut down Hwy. 21 for close to five hours.
“They got one lane open about 9 p.m.,” he said. “We were on scene until 11:15 p.m.”
All those involved in the accident were wearing seat belts, the patrol reported.
The Focus was totaled, the utility truck was extensively damaged, and the Equinox had minor damage, the report said.