A woman was seriously injured Sunday evening in a hit-and-run crash on U.S. 63 in Boone County.
The crash happened around 6:03 p.m. on June 21, 2026, on northbound U.S. 63 south of Missouri 763. An unidentified vehicle struck the rear of a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The Cobalt then traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.
The 32-year-old driver of the Cobalt suffered serious injuries and was taken by EMS to a local hospital. Her vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene.
The other vehicle sustained moderate damage but was driven from the scene. The driver left before being identified.
A rear-end collision is serious enough on its own. Leaving the scene after causing one is worse. The driver who fled did not remain to identify themselves, provide information, or face the immediate consequences of a crash that left another person seriously injured and forced her vehicle into a tree.
Hit-and-run conduct is especially troubling because it abandons the injured person at the moment they may need help most. A driver who causes a collision has a responsibility to stop, check on those involved, exchange information, and cooperate with law enforcement. Driving away does not erase what happened. It compounds the harm.
Missouri law recognizes the seriousness of this conduct. Leaving the scene of a crash that causes physical injury or substantial property damage can be charged as a Class E felony. A driver who strikes another vehicle, causes serious harm, and flees should face consequences. That behavior is not a simple traffic mistake. It is reckless, callous conduct that puts injured people at further risk and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
All facts reported upon herein are based on preliminary investigation 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.
