Authorities say a Tennessee man was fleeing from police Sunday afternoon when he caused a Cole County crash in which he died and killed a couple who had just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.
The Missouri Highway Patrol reported a vehicle driven by Demarius D. Rubin, 29, of Memphis, was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes on U.S. 54, east of Goller Road, when the wreck occurred at 12:04 p.m.
Rubin's vehicle struck head-on a vehicle driven east by Bernard G. Steffel, 91, of St. Louis.
Rubin, Steffel and Steffel's passenger, Marilyn A. Steffel, 89, of St. Louis, were all pronounced dead at the scene. All were wearing safety devices, the patrol said.
Their oldest son, Bernie Steffel Jr., says his parents celebrated their wedding anniversary last Thursday. They were heading home to the St. Louis suburb of Bellefontaine Neighbors from the Lake of the Ozarks.
Records show Rubin was on probation in Tennessee, where he had convictions for domestic assault, drug possession, stealing and burglary.