LAWRENCE COUNTY, MISSOURI — A semi-truck hauling a train engine overturned and caught fire on Interstate 44 in southwest Missouri Sunday afternoon, killing a passenger and seriously injuring the driver. The crash then triggered a chain reaction of five additional crashes in the area, prompting a massive emergency response.
The initial crash occurred just before 4 p.m. on Sunday. A 2020 Kenworth driven by a 42-year-old male from Ephrata, Washington, with a 35-year-old female passenger, veered off the left side of westbound I-44 approximately three miles east of Stotts City. The semi overturned and caught fire. The female passenger died at the scene. The driver suffered serious injuries and was transported to a hospital in Springfield. Authorities have not released the identities of those involved. The cause of the initial crash remains unknown.
Lawrence County Sheriff Brad Delay
Six Crashes, Four Fire Departments
Lawrence County Sheriff Brad Delay said deputies worked a total of six crashes in the area. A second crash at the mile marker 46 eastbound involved two semi-trucks and required extrication. The remaining four crashes involved passenger vehicles. Delay said the secondary crashes may have been caused by slowed traffic and drivers looking toward the initial crash scene as traffic was diverted.
All six crashes occurred on the eastbound side of the interstate. Four fire departments provided mutual aid as the crashes unfolded. The Aurora Rural Fire Protection District confirmed multiple crews responded to the area.
Westbound I-44 at mile marker 41 in Lawrence County closed at approximately 3 p.m. Traffic diverted at Exit 44. Significant delays continued in the eastbound lanes as well.
The crashes remain under investigation.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
Leave a Reply