Columbia Police investigate fatal injury vehicle crash on Feb. 5

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

Date and Time: Feb. 5, at 6:41 p.m.

Location: Eastbound on 1-70 near Mile Marker 127

Vehicle and Driver Information:

Vehicle 1 - 2006 Ford Focus

Driver 1- Patrick E. Elsey, 26 of Boonville, MO

Seatbelt: Yes

Vehicle 2 - 2006 Freightliner ST120 tractor-trailer, towing a 53 foot enclosed box trailer

Driver 2 - Nega A. Tadesse, 48, Garland, TX

Seatbelt: Yes

Incident Details:

At approximately 6:41 p.m on Feb. 5, 2020, Columbia Police Officers responded to a blocking accident on I-70 E near Range Line exit. While en route on I-70, officers located a secondary accident eastbound on I-70 where a car had rear-ended a loaded semi-trailer, which was stopped in traffic.

Upon arrival, the officers discovered Vehicle 1 had slid into the back of Vehicle 2.  Driver 1, identified as Patrick E. Elsey, 26, of Boonville, was transported to University Hospital and later pronounced deceased from his injuries. Next of kin has been notified.

Driver 2 has been identified as Nega Tadesse. He was uninjured and released from the scene. Alcohol or drugs are not believed to have contributed to this motor vehicle crash. This is an ongoing investigation. There are no further details to provide at this time.