Manes, MO (March 3, 2026)—A young child was injured on Monday morning, March 2, in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 95 about five miles south of Manes in Wright County.
According to initial reports, a 2023 Ram 1500 driven by a 39-year-old man from Mountain Grove was attempting to make a left turn. During the maneuver, the pickup was struck by a 2016 Kia Sportage driven by a 38-year-old woman, also from Mountain Grove.
A 5-year-old child riding as a passenger in the Kia was hurt in the crash. The child was taken by private vehicle to Texas County Memorial Hospital for treatment.
No other injuries were reported following the collision.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
Our thoughts are with the injured child.
Why Left-Turn Crashes Are Common on Rural Highways
Left-turn accidents often occur when one vehicle attempts to cross or enter the path of oncoming traffic. On rural highways, these situations can become more dangerous because vehicles often travel at higher speeds and drivers may have less time to react.
Drivers preparing to turn left must judge the distance and speed of approaching vehicles. Misjudging that gap can result in a crash if another vehicle reaches the intersection sooner than expected.
Visibility can also affect these situations. Curves in the roadway, hills, or roadside vegetation may limit how far drivers can see approaching traffic.
In many rural areas, intersections and private driveways connect directly to highways. These turning points increase the number of situations in which vehicles must cross active traffic lanes, raising the risk of collisions when timing or visibility is limited.
