JEFFERSON CITY — Yesterday’s freezing rain caused considerable trouble for morning commuters.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated four traffic crashes which involved injuries.
Crash No. 1
The first crash was reported at 4:20 a.m. on I-55 north of Route N in Perry County.
According to the report, a 2024 International went out of control on an ice-covered bridge, traveled off the right side of the roadway, striking several trees and the ground.
The driver, 58-year-old Jeffery Statler of Cape Girardeau had moderate injuries and was taken to St. Francis Medical Center by Perry EMS.
The patrol reports he was buckled up.
The International had extensive damage and was removed by Perry County Towing.
Crash No. 2
The second crash investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol happened about 5:50 a.m. on I-55 at the 153 mile marker in Ste. Genevieve County.
A northbound 2000 Ford Ranger driven by 61-year-old Dale Boland of Perryville slid off the east side of the roadway and struck a tree.
Boland had minor injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital Jefferson by a Ste. Genevieve County ambulance.
Boland was buckled up.
The Ranger had extensive damage and was removed by Ste. Genevieve County Towing.
Crash No. 3
The third crash investigated by the Highway Patrol happened about 7 a.m. at the 145 mile marker on northbound I-55.
Three vehicles were involved in the crash: a 2024 Peterbilt driven by 64-year-old Maria J. Theron-Pennrll of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 62-year-old Clayton J. Roth of St. Mary who escaped injury and a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 30-year-old Carin L. Schmidt of Perryville.
Schmidt, and two passengers in her Equinox: 46-year-old Mirabelle J. Schmidt and a 10-year-old boy received minor injuries and were taken to Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital by Ste. Genevieve County ambulance; Theron-Pennerll also had minor injuries and was taken to Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital by Ste. Genevieve County ambulance.
The Highway Patrol reports the crash happened when the front end of the Peterbilt struck the rear of the Silverado. After the impact the Peterbilt traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck the Equinox.
The Silverado had minor damage and was driven from the scene. The Peterbilt received extensive damage and was towed by Pippins Towing. The Equinox was a total loss.
Crash No. 4
The fourth crash investigated by the Highway Patrol happened about 7:20 a.m. on I-55 at the 144 mile marker.
A northbound 2019 Freightliner Cascadia driven north by Bruce A. Seifts of Lakeland, Florida went out of control on the ice-covered roadway.
Seifts had moderate injuries and was taken to Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital by a Ste. Genevieve County ambulance for treatment of moderate injuries.
The patrol says he was buckled up.
The Freightliner had moderate damage and was towed by Ste. Genevieve County Towing.