Benton man hurt in I-55 crash

JEFFERSON CITY — A 55-year-old Benton man suffered moderate injuries in a traffic crash Monday morning on I-55 in Perry County.

 

Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper J. R. Stombaugh reports Michael G. Smith was taken to Mercy Hospital Perry by ambulance.

 

Trooper Stombaugh says the crash happened when a deer ran onto the interstate and the front of the 2017 GMC Terrain Smith was driving northbound struck the deer. The front of a vehicle following the Terrain, a 2017 Toyota 4Runner driven by 65-year-old Leigh A. Rampley of Jackson then struck the rear of the Terrain, causing the Terrain to run off the right side of the roadway. Rampley was unhurt.

 

The 4Runner was a total loss and the Terrain had extensive damage. Both were removed by Perry County Towing.

 

Trooper Stombaugh says both drivers were buckled up.

 

The crash happened about 8:15 a.m. at mile marker 127.