Licking, MO (August 7, 2026) – Four people were injured on Thursday afternoon, August 6, in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 32 about three miles east of Licking. It happened around 12:32 p.m.
A Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 21-year-old woman from Lenox was attempting a left-hand turn when it was struck by a westbound Dodge Neon driven by a 47-year-old man from Salem, according to a preliminary report.
The Equinox driver and her two young children, both under age 3, suffered minor injuries. The Neon driver was seriously injured.
All four were taken by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. The cause of the wreck remains under investigation.
We hope for a full recovery for everyone involved.
Why Are Left-Hand Turns So Risky on Rural Highways?
Left-hand turns across oncoming traffic are one of the more common ways two vehicles end up meeting at an angle rather than head-on or from behind. A driver waiting to turn has to judge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles correctly, and even a small misjudgment can put the turning vehicle directly in the path of a car approaching from the opposite direction.
Rural highways without a dedicated turn lane can make these maneuvers riskier, since a driver waiting to turn may be stopped or slowing in the same lane as oncoming traffic, giving following vehicles less time to react. Higher speed limits on two-lane roads like Highway 32 also mean less time for either driver to avoid impact once the turn begins.
Young children riding in car seats generally benefit from added protection compared with older passengers, but any collision can still be frightening and cause minor injuries even when a seat is properly installed. Getting a car seat inspected after any accident is a routine safety step that many hospitals and fire departments can help with.
