CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The Cape Girardeau Police Department has confirmed that 75-year-old Roger D. Tucker of Thebes, Illinois, was killed and 52-year-old James Lovel Jr. of Morley, Missouri, was involved but uninjured following a two-vehicle crash involving commercial trucks on the 2000 block of Southern Expressway Thursday morning, August 21, 2025.
At approximately 10:49 a.m., officers were dispatched to the scene after reports of a serious collision involving heavy commercial vehicles.
Crash Details
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2025 Mack Tanker Truck, driven by James Lovel Jr., had slowed and come to a stop on the roadway. The truck was waiting for a piece of construction equipment traveling ahead of it, which was in the process of turning into a private drive at 2007 Southern Expressway.
Behind the tanker truck was a 2015 Freightliner loaded with rock, driven by Roger D. Tucker. Authorities say the Freightliner failed to stop in time and collided with the rear of the Mack tanker.
The impact of the crash proved fatal for Tucker. Emergency responders pronounced him deceased at the scene. Lovel Jr. was not injured.
Vehicles Involved
- Vehicle 1 (V1): 2015 Freightliner
- Driver: Roger D. Tucker, 75, Thebes, IL — Deceased
- Vehicle 2 (V2): 2025 Mack Tanker Truck
- Driver: James Lovel Jr., 52, Morley, MO — Not Injured
Ongoing Investigation
The Cape Girardeau Police Department, with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash reconstruction team, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials are working to determine whether factors such as speed, visibility, or mechanical issues played a role.
Authorities have not released further details at this time, but they emphasized that the investigation remains active.
Community Impact
Thursday’s collision marks another tragic roadway incident on the Southern Expressway, a busy route heavily traveled by both commuters and commercial trucks. Local officials have urged drivers to use caution in construction zones and areas with heavy equipment activity.
The Cape Girardeau Police Department extended its condolences to the family of Roger D. Tucker, whose life was lost in the accident.
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