2 men killed in accident on Interstate 70

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Two men who were putting gas into a vehicle on Interstate 70 near Columbia were killed when they were struck by a car.

Columbia police say in a news release that the accident happened Thursday evening on the shoulder of the eastbound lane of the interstate.

Police say the drivers of two vans had stopped on the shoulder to put gas in one of the vans when they were hit by an SUV.

One of the victims, Gilbert L. Love, 73, of Auxvasse, died at the scene. The second man, Edward Taggart, 72, of Prairie Home, died at a Columbia hospital.

Police said the driver of the SUV made statements referring to using a cell phone and alcohol might also have been a factor.