Five from Louisiana killed in I-55 crash

Five people were killed and two seriously injured Sunday when a van ran off Interstate 55 and struck a creek embankment two miles south of Scott City.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the victims as Renique Brown, 24; Jakiya Brown, 1; and Trinique Brown, 3, all of Tallulah, La.; Shalandra Booker, 31, of Monroe, La.; and Lawrence Jackson, 25, of West Monroe, La. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the patrol, Sammy Hearn, 47, of West Monroe, La., was driving a Dodge Caravan south on the interstate with six passengers. At about 11:40 a.m., the van went into the median between two bridges, became airborne and vaulted across Ramsey Creek before striking the embankment. The van came to rest on its top.

Three victims were ejected from the vehicle and another was partially ejected, the patrol said. Hearn was the only one in the van wearing a seat belt.

Hearn and passenger Calvin Hamilton, 21, of Monroe, La., received serious injuries and were taken to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

The victims were taken to Amick-Burnett Funeral Home in Scott City.