The crash occurred on September 18th, 2024, at 7:51 PM on US Highway 63, south of Renz Farm Road. Three vehicles were headed southbound in congested traffic including 19-year-old Elleigh N. Wood in a 2014 Honda Civic, 55-year-old Leslie A. Turek in a 2020 Honda HRV, and 19-year-old Juan M. Beltran Briceno in a 2012 Toyota Camry. Headed from the same direction, 72-year-old William Kehler was operating a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer when they failed to stop to the congested traffic ahead. This caused the tractor-trailer to impact the rear of the Honda Civic before striking the rear and left side of the Honda HRV. The Honda HRV then rotated, causing it to collide with the Toyota Camry.
Elleigh Wood and Leslie Turek were seriously injured and taken to University Hospital – Wood via Cole County EMS and Turek via Callaway County EMS. Juan Beltran Briceno sustained minor injuries and was taken to Capital Region Hospital via Cole County EMS. William Kehler was uninjured. All four drivers wear wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The Honda Civic and Honda HRV were totaled, the Freightliner Cascadia was moderately damaged, and the Toyota Camry sustained minor damage – all vehicles were towed from the scene.
Crashes involving large vehicles like tractor trailers often result in devastating personal injury and property damage. Commercial vehicles like the one in this accident are typically required to carry substantial insurance policies in order to cover potential damages. It requires specialized knowledge for an attorney to take cases against these large insurers successfully. The AW Smith Law firm has received some of the largest jury verdicts in the state of Missouri and has helped thousands of injured victims of motor vehicle crashes. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash like this, do not hesitate to reach out for assistance. The AW Smith Law Firm is available to stand up for you.