Jefferson County, MO (July 8, 2026) – Six people were hurt, two of them seriously, in a three-vehicle crash on northbound US-67 at River Dale Drive in Jefferson County on Monday, July 6. The collision was reported at 12:27 p.m.
A 75-year-old Arnold woman driving a 2018 Honda CR-V attempted to cross US-67 from a private lot toward River Dale Drive. The front of her vehicle struck the left side of a southbound 2015 GMC Acadia driven by a 35-year-old Imperial woman. A northbound 2017 Chevrolet Sonic driven by an 84-year-old Arnold woman swerved off the right side of the road in an attempt to avoid the wreck.
The Acadia’s driver sustained serious injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital South. Four children riding in the Acadia, a 4-year-old girl, a 7-year-old boy, a 9-year-old boy, and a 10-year-old girl, all from Imperial, were taken to the same hospital with minor injuries. The CR-V’s driver also sustained serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital South. The Sonic’s driver was not hurt. The accident remains under active investigation.
We hope all six people hurt make full recoveries.
What Happens When a Vehicle Crosses a Busy Highway From a Private Lot?
Crossing a multi-lane highway from a private parking area or lot is one of the more hazardous driving maneuvers, since the driver must navigate across multiple lanes of traffic moving in both directions without the benefit of a traffic signal or designated turning lane. Sightlines from a private lot may be partially obstructed, and drivers must judge gaps in fast-moving traffic from a stationary position before committing to the crossing. A miscalculation in that judgment can result in a collision with vehicles that have little time to react.
When a crash forces a third vehicle off the roadway while attempting to avoid the initial impact, investigators must document the full chain of events across all three vehicles. The evasive action taken by the third driver is considered alongside the primary collision when reconstructing the sequence. This kind of multi-vehicle analysis helps clarify each driver’s role and the decisions made in the seconds before and during the crash.
The absence of a safety device for the driver who sustained serious injuries is a significant factor in crash outcomes. Unrestrained drivers in side-impact collisions are at much greater risk of serious injury than those wearing a seatbelt, since the belt keeps the occupant in position relative to the vehicle’s protective structure. Children properly restrained in age-appropriate seats fared considerably better in this crash, sustaining only minor injuries despite being in the most heavily damaged vehicle.
