House Springs, MO (July 21, 2026) – Four people were hurt on Sunday afternoon, July 19, when a car crossed the center line on Route W and struck an oncoming SUV near Mirasol Manor Way in Jefferson County, according to a state traffic report. The report said the driver of a 1997 Lincoln Town Car lost control on the wet roadway around 1:25 p.m. while heading south, sending the vehicle into the path of a northbound 2022 Nissan Pathfinder.
Both vehicles were declared total losses. The Lincoln’s 21-year-old driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital South. In the Pathfinder, the 39-year-old driver was hospitalized with moderate injuries, while two passengers, ages 15 and 42, were treated for minor injuries. All three were taken to Mercy Hospital St. Louis. The exact cause of the wreck remains under review.
We hope everyone involved has a full recovery.
How Does a Wet Roadway Affect Vehicle Control?
Wet pavement reduces the grip between a vehicle’s tires and the road, which can make steering and braking far less predictable. Even a small amount of water can create a thin layer between the tires and the pavement, a process called hydroplaning, especially at higher speeds.
Drivers can lose control quickly once hydroplaning begins, since the vehicle may no longer respond the way it would on dry pavement. Reducing speed during wet weather gives tires more time to maintain contact with the road surface, lowering the chance of a sudden skid.
Worn tires make the problem worse, since tread depth is what channels water away from the contact patch. Regularly checking tire tread and keeping a safe following distance are two of the simplest ways drivers can reduce risk on wet roads.
