Mexico Public Safety has identified a Columbia woman as the victim in a fatal DWI crash in Mexico on Friday, August 30, 2024.
Mexico Public Safety responded to the crash on the US Highway 54 bypass, about 1/2 mile south of East Liberty around 3:15 on Friday afternoon.
Mexico Public Safety determined 30-year-old Tyler W. Herman from Bloomington, Illinois was driving a red, 2017 Dodge pickup truck southbound as an attempt to pass other vehicles.
The Dodge hit a silver, 2005 Toyota SUV being driven by 70-year-old Mary L. Piper of Columbia, and the vehicles caught fire.
Mexico Public Safety quickly extinguished the fire according to the news release.
Piper died prior to Mexico Public Safety Department’s arrival.
Herman was removed from his vehicle and Audrain Ambulance District transported him to University Hospital where he was admitted for treatment for his injuries.
Mexico Public Safety has forwarded an initial report to the Audrain County Prosecuting Attorney who obtained an arrest warrant for Herman for Driving While Intoxicated-Causing a Fatality and other offenses.
Herman was arrested in Bloomington, Illinois after his release from the hospital and is currently in jail.