Two Persons Killed in Lafayette County Crash

Authorities in Lafayette County say two people were killed in a Lafayette County crash that closed a stretch of Highway 11 for about five hours Tuesday. 27 year old Jason Richardson, of Monroe, and a juvenile passenger were declared dead at the scene, according to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department. A release does not name the juvenile. Another passenger, 27 year old Leane Richardson also of Monroe, was taken by ambulance to SSM Health Monroe Hospital for treatment. The extent of her injuries was unknown. A release states that an investigation into the crash found that a semi-tractor trailer driven by 30 year old Kaled Omar of Clarksville, Ind., was westbound on Highway 11 in Gratiot Township shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday when a vehicle being driven east by Jason Richardson crossed the center line into the path of the semi. Jason Richardson’s vehicle hit the semi and came to rest against a guardrail, the release states. The semi also hit a guardrail while attempting to avoid hitting the other vehicle before coming to a stop. Highway 11 was closed in the area of the crash and detoured for about five hours.  An investigation into the crash is ongoing.