An 18-year-old man was seriously injured and a teenage passenger suffered moderate injuries following a two-vehicle crash Saturday night in Adair County.
According to reporting, the crash occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m. on June 13 on Highway T about two miles northeast of Kirksville. Investigators reported that a Saturn SL1 failed to stop at a stop sign and pulled into the path of a Chevrolet Cruze.
The Chevrolet subsequently struck the Saturn, causing extensive damage to both vehicles. The patrol reported both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by their owners.
The driver of the Saturn, an 18-year-old, sustained serious injuries and was transported by EMS to a local hospital for emergency treatment. A 16-year-old female passenger suffered moderate injuries and was also transported to the hospital for treatment.
The driver of the Saturn was reported to be wearing a safety device at the time of the crash. The driver of the Chevrolet, a 27-year-old man, was not reported as injured.
Failure-to-yield and stop-sign violation crashes can occur when drivers misjudge traffic conditions or fail to recognize the right-of-way of approaching vehicles. Intersections are among the most common locations for serious collisions because vehicles from different directions converge, often leaving little time for drivers to react when another motorist enters the roadway unexpectedly.
Drivers have a responsibility to obey traffic control devices and ensure an intersection is clear before proceeding. Taking a few extra moments to verify that cross traffic has stopped or passed can help prevent serious injuries and reduce the likelihood of devastating crashes.
All facts reported upon herein are based on preliminary investigation and reporting done by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. If you have information that may be relevant to the prosecution of this case, please contact A.W. Smith Law.
