Dawn Tampow, Ralph Morse Obituary, Death: Police ID 2 victims in fatal wrong-way I-55 crash in St. Louis

Dawn Tampow, Ralph Morse Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified the two drivers who lost their lives in a wrong-way collision on Interstate 55 in south St. Louis on Friday evening. The victims were 63-year-old Dawn Tampow of St. Louis and 74-year-old Ralph Morse of Imperial, Missouri. According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the fatal crash occurred just after 7:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-55, near the Gasconade Street entrance ramp.

Police say the incident began when Tampow, driving a Kia Soul, entered the highway going the wrong direction. Witnesses started calling 911 to report the vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes after it entered I-55 from the Truman Parkway exit ramp.

Shortly afterward, the Kia Soul crashed head-on into a Chevrolet Corvette being driven by Morse. Both drivers sustained fatal injuries in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene.

At this time, investigators are still working to determine how and why Tampow entered the highway going the wrong way. Authorities have not confirmed whether drugs, alcohol, medical issues, or disorientation may have played a role. The police are reviewing traffic camera footage, witness reports, and any available evidence to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the crash.

There were no passengers reported in either vehicle, and no additional injuries were mentioned. Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene, but the impact of the collision was severe.

The crash resulted in major traffic disruptions along the northbound lanes of I-55 as authorities conducted an investigation and cleared the wreckage. The roadway was temporarily closed near the crash site but has since reopened.

Wrong-way collisions are among the most dangerous types of crashes due to the high speeds and sudden impact typically involved. Incidents like this often raise public concerns about highway safety, signage, and whether more can be done to prevent drivers from mistakenly entering freeways in the wrong direction.

Family members and friends of both victims are mourning their sudden and tragic deaths. Neither family has released a public statement at this time, and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has not released further details but confirmed the case remains under active investigation. Officials are asking anyone who may have witnessed the events leading up to the crash or has relevant information to contact law enforcement.

As this is a developing story, additional updates may be released as investigators learn more about the circumstances that led to the deadly collision. For now, the community grieves the loss of two lives in a preventable highway tragedy.