Head-on, wrong-way crash on U.S. 63 leads to one driver's death

An Ashland man died Friday following a wrong-way collision on U.S. Highway 63 near state route AC (Grindstone Parkway).

Boone County Joint Communications was alerted at about 5 p.m. to a vehicle driving north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 63.

Driving the blue 2021 Chevrolet Equinox was Allen D. Nichols, 84, of Ashland. Columbia Police, Boone County Sheriff and the Missouri Highway Patrol all tried to get Nichols to stop, Columbia police said Saturday.

Nichols collided head-on with a gray 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Robert J. Heckman, 56, of Columbia, in the U.S. 63 southbound passing lane at about 5:11 p.m. Neither driver was wearing a seatbelt, Columbia police reported.

Nichols died at the scene and next of kin were notified, while Heckman was transported to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Columbia police continue to investigate the crash. Those with more information are encouraged to call the department at 573-874-7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573-875-8477 to remain anonymous.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Wrong-way crash on U.S. Highway 63 leads to fatality for one driver