(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ On the afternoon of August 5, a fatal crash occurred on Interstate 70 in Columbia, Missouri. According to reports from the Columbia Police Department, the incident involved multiple vehicles, including a tractor-trailer driven by Walter J. Montejo, 26, of South Gate, California and a U-Haul rental truck driven by Cindy Helms, 54, of Rockwood, Tennessee.

Emergency services responded to the scene at approximately 2:20 p.m. Helms was transported to a local hospital via ambulance but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. The passenger in the U-Haul truck, identified as Melvina M. Colin, 84, of Croomfield, Colorado was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Helms and Colin were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash and their next of kin have been notified.

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Montejo also sustained injuries in the collision and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the Columbia Police Department or CrimeStoppers to remain anonymous. The case number for this incident is 2024-006675.

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