Neosho man killed, four injured in 10-car pileup on I-44

A Neosho man was killed in a 10-vehicle accident 4:45 p.m. Friday on I-44 two miles west of Mount Vernon.

According to the Highway Patrol report, nine vehicles- 2015 BMW 550I driven by Rodger A. Alexander, 37, Neosho, a 2019 Freightliner driven by Stacy O. Paschal, 27, Covington Georgia, a 2021 Toyota Rav4 driven by Elizabeth A. Hailey, 40, Springfield, a 2013 Honda Civic driven by Stuart R. Jones, 58, Wichita, Kansas, a 2017 Kia Sorrento driven by Ernest C. Smith, 65, Chicago Heights, Illinois, a 2015 Toyota Prius driven by 2018 Chrysler Town and Country Van driven by Dana R. Kennard, 42, De Soto, and a 2015 GMC Sierra driven by Jared M. Swift, 35, Springfield and a 2013 Chrysler 300 driven by Bryce A. Wimbish, 18, Hobbs, New Mexico were stopped in traffic on westbound I-44.

A 2016 Freightliner driven by Patrick J. Joiner, 53, Jefferson, Georgia, struck the rear of the Alexander vehicle causing it to hit the Paschal vehicle.

After hitting the Alexander vehicle, the Joiner vehicle continued westbound striking the Hailey vehicle and starting a chain reaction with the other vehicles listed above.

Alexander was airlifted to Mercy Springfield where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Dustin Gammon at  at 6:50 p.m.

Haily was treated for moderate injuries and Wimbish, Swift and Kennard for minor injuries at Mercy Joplin.

The fatality was the 35th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.