Fatal Crash on U.S. 63 in Northern Boone County
Emergency crews responded Monday morning, May 18, to a crash involving a fatality on U.S. 63 and Missouri 124 in northern Boone County. [abc17news.com], [krcgtv.com]
Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp confirmed the fatal crash to KOMU 8 News. According to an alert from Boone County Joint Communications, the passing lane of southbound U.S. 63 was closed in the area around 5:30 a.m. while crews responded.
The crash occurred early in the morning, when it was still dark and heavy rain was affecting the area. KOMU 8 News reported seeing two vehicles in the grass median around 6 a.m. One of the vehicles was lying on its roof.
Blomenkamp said the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s crash team was on scene. The Highway Patrol is expected to release additional information about the cause of the crash, the injured parties, and the vehicles involved.
As of about 8:30 a.m., crews were still at the scene but expected to leave shortly. Blomenkamp said the passing lane of southbound U.S. 63 was expected to reopen within an hour.
Crashes involving vehicles leaving the roadway, entering medians, or overturning can be especially serious because occupants may be exposed to multiple forces of impact. Early-morning crashes can also present additional dangers when visibility is reduced by darkness, rain, or spray from other vehicles. While the exact cause of this crash has not yet been released, investigators often work to determine the sequence of events, vehicle positions, roadway evidence, and any contributing factors before releasing further details.
Drivers traveling through active crash scenes should slow down, watch for emergency crews, and follow lane closure instructions. Missouri law requires drivers to use the highest degree of care while operating a vehicle, which includes keeping a careful lookout, maintaining control, and adjusting to traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
