Louisiana Truck Driver Charged After Fatal I-55 Crash Near Festus

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A Louisiana truck driver is facing charges after a deadly crash on Interstate 55 near Festus left three people dead.

According to Jefferson County court filings, 45-year-old Richard Allen Holden of Greensburg, Louisiana, was driving a Freightliner semi that caused an eight-vehicle pileup Sunday afternoon in a construction zone. Investigators say Holden admitted he may have dozed off before hitting a line of slow-moving traffic at about 70 miles per hour. Court documents reveal little evidence the truck slowed before the impact, which killed three people and left several others seriously injured.

Holden is charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter.