Available 
Boone County, MO (June 13, 2026) – A multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash involving five vehicles on westbound Interstate 70 Thursday night left two men injured.
Emergency units responded to the 121-mile marker in a construction zone around 9:30 p.m. on June 11, in the area of the Midway exit. A 2026 Peterbilt 589 semitruck approached from behind and failed to properly observe the slowed traffic ahead, striking the rear of a 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
The impact triggered a chain reaction, pushing the Toyota into a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado, which then struck a 2026 Mercedes Sprinter, and the Sprinter subsequently hit a 2025 Honda CR-V. Following the impacts, the Peterbilt, Toyota, and Chevrolet all left the roadway and came to rest in a ditch.
The Mercedes Sprinter and Honda CR-V came to a controlled stop on the shoulder. Two drivers, a 32-year-old man from Cape Girardeau and a 50-year-old man from Columbia, sustained moderate injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals.
Traffic delays continued for about an hour while crews cleared the scene. 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 those injured as they recover.
What Factors Are Often Reviewed in Construction Zone Chain-Reaction Crashes?
Crashes in construction zones can involve reduced lanes, sudden stops, and heavy congestion, which can increase the risk of rear-end collisions. Investigators typically examine traffic flow, warning signage, and driver awareness leading up to the crash.
Special attention is given to following distance, reaction time, and visibility conditions, especially when multiple vehicles are stopped or slowing in sequence. In multi-vehicle impacts, investigators may also reconstruct the order of collisions using damage patterns and final vehicle positions. These findings help determine how the crash developed and what factors contributed to the chain reaction.
