Around 10:20 a.m. on Monday, June 16th, a tragic car accident occurred on Highway 17, about five miles north of Houston in Texas County, Missouri. A Dodge Journey was stopped in a construction zone when it was forcefully rear-ended by an International box truck.
The driver of the Dodge was pronounced dead at the scene, just minutes after the crash. A passenger in the same vehicle sustained serious injuries and was flown to a nearby hospital. The driver of the box truck suffered only minor injuries and was also taken to a hospital.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), distracted driving was a factor in 356 work zone crashes and five fatalities in 2024. Speeding contributed to 11% of total work zone accidents.
When approaching a construction zone, it’s critical to obey altered traffic laws—such as reduced speed limits and lane restrictions—to protect not only yourself, but also other drivers, construction workers, and their equipment.
MoDOT reports that driver inattention was the leading cause of accidents last year. In response, they are working on implementing more driver warnings and safety systems.
Just as MoDOT is working to keep us safe, we as drivers have a duty to respect the rules of the road. Driving attentively and responsibly helps ensure that everyone makes it home safely.