One person was seriously injured Saturday night in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County.
The crash happened around 10:43 p.m. on July 12, 2026, on eastbound I-70 at mile marker 48.2. A 2025 Toyota Tacoma struck the rear of a 2021 Subaru Forester.
After the impact, the Subaru traveled off the right side of the roadway and began to overturn before coming to rest off the south side of the roadway. The Toyota came to rest blocking both lanes of the interstate.
The driver of the Subaru suffered serious injuries and was taken by EMS to a local hospital. Both vehicles were totaled and towed from the scene.
The crash report states that both drivers were wearing safety devices at the time of the crash.
Rear-end crashes on interstates can be especially dangerous because vehicles are often traveling at highway speeds. When a driver strikes the back of another vehicle with enough force to send it off the roadway and into an overturning sequence, the consequences can be severe.
Drivers have a responsibility to keep a safe following distance, pay attention to traffic ahead, and maintain control of their vehicles. Failing to stop or slow in time is not a minor roadway mistake when it causes another vehicle to leave the interstate and overturn.
This crash also created a broader danger when the striking vehicle came to rest blocking both lanes of I-70. One reckless impact can injure an innocent driver and place other motorists at risk in the aftermath. Conduct that causes a serious rear-end crash on an interstate should be taken seriously and addressed under the law.
All facts reported upon herein are based on preliminary investigation and reporting done by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. If you have additional information that may be related to the prosecution of this case, please contact A.W. Smith Law.
