Two People Killed In An Accident In Columbia That Closed Highway 63 For A Couple Hours

Two Columbia residents were killed Thursday night in a one-vehicle accident causing the US 63 highway to shut down for two hours in both directions. According to the Columbia Police Department, at around 7 p.m. a northbound SUV traveling on the highway near the 63 connector and I-70 overpass, was driven by 21-year-old Giovanny Blanco Rodriguez of Columbia. Rodriguez lost control, and veered into the passing lane, struck the median and crossed over into the southbound lane then overturned. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene. A backseat passenger, 27-year-old Abran Morales was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. A front-seat passenger, whose name was not released, was seriously injured and taken to an area hospital. Several law enforcement agencies assisted with the accident, including MoDOT crews, University of Missouri EMS, Columbia Fire, and the Columbia Police Department . According to the report, no one was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.