Truck Driver Dies, 3 Others Injured on I-44 West of Eureka

One person died, and three others were injured, after a tractor trailer and two vehicles collided on eastbound Interstate 44 (I-44) Saturday morning. The accident happened at 4:50 a.m. just east of the Union, MO, exit on I-44 at mile marker 248.6 in Franklin County. This area is about 20 miles west of Eureka.

Diaael Saker, 25, of Kenner, LA, lost control of his 2012 Kenworth tractor trailer and ran off the north/left side of the road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Saker over-corrected and the trailer rolled over, troopers indicated. 

Two motorists following the tractor trailer attempted to stop, but slid into the trailer, according to authorities.

Saker was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, Felix Smith, 52, of Pasadena, CA, suffered minor injuries.

The first vehicle behind Saker was a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Billy Wells, 42, of Rolla, MO. Wells suffered minor injuries.

The second vehicle behind Saker was a 2001 Nissan Sentra driven by Roxanne Rath, 25, of Sullivan, MO. Rath has moderate injuries.

All three of the injured were taken to Mercy Hospital in Washington. Reports indicate all drivers were wearing seat belts.