Article about Matt's Wreck

[Madmike]

http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/568297.html

Maryville man killed in morning crash on King bridge
St. Louis man may be charged in death
BY JACQUELINE LEE - News-Democrat
A St. Louis man faces possible criminal charges in connection with an accident Friday morning on the Martin Luther King Bridge that claimed the life of a Maryville man.

Matthew L. Cole, 23, was identified as the victim, Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Marc Bell said.

The 5 a.m. crash involved two cars and a tractor-trailer.
Chivas J. Day, 26, of St. Louis, was driving west on the bridge when he pulled into oncoming traffic to pass a westbound tractor-trailer driven by Raymond J. Rist, 45, of Beckemeyer, Bell said.

Day's white Pontiac G6 then crashed head on into the vehicle Cole was driving east in the left lane of the bridge.

Cole was pronounced dead at the scene by St. Clair County Coroner Rick Stone.

Day was taken to St. Louis University Hospital. His condition was not available. Rist was not injured.

Cole's stepfather, Bob Barnstable of Nokomis, said Cole moved to the metro-east to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for business management and stayed in Maryville after graduation.

Barnstable said Cole worked the night shift as a manager at Dayton Freight Lines Inc. and was probably on his way home from work.

Barnstable said he first met Cole when Cole was 8 years old.

"He was the leader, the one who had the positive attitude to get things done," Barnstable said. "He was a character. He was the one in kindergarten, if they wanted the kids to do something and all the kids would just hang back, he'd be the one to jump up and say, 'C'mon, let's do this. It'll be fun.'"

Cole played football at Nokomis High School and had recently started weightlifting again, Barnstable said. Cole had visited his mom and stepdad for Thanksgiving, the last time they saw him.

"He was really close to his mom. She was the one he'd always call for advice," Barnstable said. Cole is also survived by a younger brother and older sister.

Illinois State Police are investigating possible criminal charges against Day, including reckless homicide and improper lane usage, Bell said.

"At this time, speed and improper lane usage, and impairment by alcohol and/or drug usage are expected as contributary causes," Bell said.

State police Master Trooper Ralph Timmins said earlier Friday: "We don't know if there was impairment involved or if he was sleepy and heading to work. We are continuing our investigation."

The bridge reopened about 10:30 a.m., five hours after the three-vehicle accident closed the bridge and snarled the morning commute.


RIP Matt

[Madmike]

ALSO

Here is where you can leave condolences online to the family.

http://www.legacy.com/Belleville/Obitua ... =120990883

[Gonzo-cr]

Damn that is ****ed up..he was only 23 and had his whole life ahead of him. I feel bad for his family.. He sound's like he was a super nice guy..I wish his family the best...And if the guy who caused the crash was drunk..that's even more ****ed up...such bullshit!!!!

[Python]

That is really horrible.

[markk96-cr]

More can be seen here.

http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/pages/New ... geId=3.2.1

I saw this yesterday on the way to work, had no idea it was Matt.

[Acesfull]

The ones who cause the accident's never die it seems. Always the innocent that are lost. I still can't believe it.... 23 is way too young for anyone.

[Cycleman]

Mike... Mark...

thank you both for the info and posts.


Hurts like hell and I eyes have now been swollen for 24 hours plus... but we needed to see this......


And you know.... Matt..... would be like..... "The guy crossed the lane and I had no time........... and I'lll miss you........."



damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!! God I'm so pissed........

[CRider]

Originally Posted by Acesfull

The ones who cause the accident's never die it seems. Always the innocent that are lost. I still can't believe it.... 23 is way too young for anyone.

Unfortunately, this does seem to hold true most of the time.

[anton]

Originally Posted by CRider

Unfortunately, this does seem to hold true most of the time.

Very true. One of my best friends was killed in an accident that took the lives of everyone involved but the driver.

[Sparhawk]

I'm speechless...

I didn't know him that well...but he was one of US ! ! !

Rest in Peace Brother

[HRPuffinStuff-cr]

Damn this sucks.

I ain't got the words to express my sorrow and I never even knew the guy.

People drive like shit today, you know.

Everybody is in a hurry.

Nobody is paying attention.

Then somebody pays for it with his life.

RIP brother.

Hopefully, you discover the afterlife is a giant walk-in humidor packed with an endless supply of your favorite smokes.

[randomhero1090]

I did not know Matt at all. Being a newbie still in a sense. However, it makes me very sad to see someone this young go. I have read many comments and some of his past posts, looks like he was a great guy and its very sad that I will not get to know him personally.

So many have very little regard for the lives of others. Driving a car is a PRIVELAGE, not a RIGHT. My wife gets on me for driving slow. I’d rather take a little longer to get somewhere and be ALIVE, then not get there at all.

My regards to his family and friends.

[Cycleman]

Well said , Randomhero....

[lazylightningNY-cr]

I just pulled up this thread. It really ****ed me up, because I was just reading some posts of his from right before the accident. The older I get, the more I realize that a spark can be extinguished with one breath. I think about these things a lot now that I have a young daughter, and all the horrible possibilities go through your mind.
RIP.

[KevinG]

Sorry for being here so late.

I have been dealing with some of my own family stuff.

This is very sad.

Rest in peace Matt. We all know you are in a place where they have the best cigars.