Cooper Co., MO (March 17, 2026) – A 71-year-old woman from Pilot Grove was killed Monday, March 16, in a crash at the intersection of Missouri Route 135 and Route E. The collision occurred around 10:34 a.m.
Troopers reported that a 2014 Toyota Venza was traveling south on Route 135 and had stopped at a stop sign at Route E. At the same time, a 2012 Ford F-250 traveling west on Route E failed to stop and struck the Venza. The impact caused the Venza to slide off the roadway and hit a stop sign, with both vehicles coming to rest on Route 135.
The passenger in the Venza, the 71-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The driver of the Venza, a 74-year-old man from Pilot Grove, suffered minor injuries and was transported to University Hospital. The 32-year-old driver of the Ford F-250 from Moberly was not injured.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available. Our condolences go out to the family of the deceased.
Why Stop-Sign Intersections Can Lead to Serious Crashes
Crashes at stop-sign intersections often happen when drivers fail to stop or misjudge gaps in cross traffic. Even moderate speeds can result in severe impacts, especially for smaller vehicles struck by larger trucks or SUVs.
Passengers are at higher risk in side-impact collisions because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear. Sliding after impact can also increase the risk of injury and make it harder for vehicles to come to a safe stop.
Careful adherence to traffic control devices, proper speed, and full attention at intersections are key to reducing the likelihood of serious or fatal crashes in these areas.
