A fatal crash occurred on the evening of Tuesday, the 18th, in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 44 in Pulaski County, Missouri. The collision happened around 9:00 PM at the 150.4-mile marker.
The crash occurred as a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup was stopped in the roadway and then was forcefully rear ended by 2017 Volvo semi-truck. The impact sent the pickup off the left side of the interstate, where it hit the cable barrier. The driver of the Dodge Ram, a 48-year-old woman, was ejected from the vehicle. She unfortunately lost her life to injuries sustained in the accident and was pronounced deceased on the scene. She was not utilizing a safety device at the time.
The semi-truck continued off the right side of the roadway after the collision. The driver, a 42-year-old man, was wearing his safety device and was not reported as injured. His vehicle sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene. The Dodge Ram was totaled.
Rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks are often devastating due to the force generated by large tractor-trailers. When a passenger vehicle is stopped or disabled in the roadway, even a momentary lapse in awareness by an approaching driver can have fatal consequences. This incident highlights the importance of visibility, attentiveness, and safe following distance—particularly during nighttime travel on high-speed interstates. The accident also highlights the necessity to pay the upmost attention, stay off of our phones, and maintain safe driving habits, because the cost of not doing so could be our lives.
All facts being reported on are based on preliminary investigation done by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
