Columbia Police Investigating Fatal Accident on Highway 63

The Columbia Police Department is investigating a fatal accident that took place Friday evening on Highway 63 near the I-70 Connector. An SUV driven by 84-year-old Allen Nichols of Ashland was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes. Authorities in the area attempted to stop Nichols’ vehicle but he collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by 56-year-old Robert Heckman of Columbia. Neither driver was wearing a seatbelt. Nichols was pronounced dead at the scene. Heckman suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital.