Bolivar, MO (April 26, 2026) – A woman from Wheatland was killed in a wrong-way crash Saturday morning, April 25, just south of Bolivar in Polk County. The collision occurred around 9:50 a.m. on Missouri Route 13, about half a mile south of town.
Troopers reported that a 48-year-old woman was driving southbound in the northbound lanes when her car struck a northbound semi-truck. The impact caused severe damage to both vehicles.
The woman was taken to Citizens Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead about an hour later. No other injuries were reported in the crash. The cause of the wrong-way driving remains under investigation.
Our condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
How Wrong-Way Crashes Often Happen on Highways
Wrong-way crashes on divided highways are often among the most dangerous types of collisions. They typically occur when a driver enters the roadway incorrectly or becomes disoriented and travels against traffic flow.
These crashes frequently happen on rural highways or at night when visibility is reduced. Because vehicles are traveling toward each other at high speeds, the impact force is significantly increased. Even with quick reaction time, drivers often have little space to avoid a head-on collision once a wrong-way vehicle is detected.
