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COLUMBIA, Boone County, Mo., Oct. 14, 2026 — A crash between a vehicle and a motorcycle closed all lanes of Interstate 70 near mile marker 126.4 on Tuesday, October 13, according to authorities. The motorcyclist was reported injured in the collision.
The highway was shut down in both directions while crews worked the scene, officials said. No information on the extent of the motorcyclist's injuries has been released.
Lanes of I-70 have since reopened, according to the report.
The circumstances remain under investigation. Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
Where Motorcycle Crashes on Interstates Tend to Concentrate
Interstate corridors like I-70 produce a particular kind of motorcycle crash, one shaped by speed differences and merging traffic rather than intersections. On-ramps and lane-change zones are common trouble spots because a motorcycle's narrow profile can disappear in a driver's blind spot just as that driver is accelerating or shifting lanes to merge.
Long, straight highway stretches can also work against riders in an unexpected way. Drivers scanning for other cars sometimes look past a motorcycle without registering it, a problem traffic researchers call "looked but failed to see." High speeds on interstates leave less time for either driver to react once a hazard appears.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 34 percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes had no valid motorcycle license in 2023. That figure points to licensing and training gaps as a factor in highway crash risk, separate from how or where a particular crash occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gear actually helps protect a rider in a crash?
A DOT-approved helmet, a reinforced jacket and pants, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots reduce the severity of common injuries like road rash, head trauma, and fractures. None of it prevents a crash, but it changes outcomes when one happens.
What usually causes motorcycle accidents?
Common factors include drivers failing to see a motorcycle before turning or changing lanes, following too closely, speed, and impaired or distracted driving by either party.
Why do motorcycle crashes tend to cause more serious injuries than car crashes?
A motorcycle offers no outer frame, airbags, or seatbelts, so a rider absorbs the impact directly. Even low-speed collisions can cause serious injury where the same impact in a car might not.
How do left-turning vehicles end up colliding with motorcycles?
A frequent pattern involves a car turning left across oncoming traffic. The driver misjudges a motorcycle's speed or distance, or simply doesn't see it, and turns into its path.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Columbia, MO
If you're involved in a motorcycle crash, get to a safe location if possible and call 911 right away. Even if injuries seem minor at first, it's worth getting checked by a medical professional, since adrenaline can mask pain from soft-tissue or internal injuries.
Stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives and get a copy of the police report once it's available. If you're able, take photos of the vehicles, the road, and any visible injuries before anything is moved. Collect contact information from witnesses if you can.
Give yourself time to recover, both physically and otherwise. Follow up with your doctor on any lingering pain, numbness, or stiffness in the days after the crash, since some injuries take time to show symptoms.
