New Madrid, MO (January 20, 2026) – A serious two-vehicle accident occurred just after midnight on Monday along the northbound side of Interstate 55 at the 49-mile marker, leaving one man critically injured and another with minor injuries.
According to crash details released by authorities, the incident happened at approximately 12:36 a.m. when a 2015 Nissan Sentra, heading northbound, veered off the right side of the roadway and collided with a stationary 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The impact caused severe damage to both vehicles, with the Nissan being declared totaled and the Tahoe sustaining extensive front-end damage.
Responding medics quickly identified the driver of the Nissan, a 21-year-old male from Poplar Bluff, as having sustained serious injuries. He was airlifted from the scene by air medical services and transported to Region One Health in Memphis, TN, for advanced care. The driver of the stationary Tahoe, a 35-year-old man from Dexter, received minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center for evaluation.
The crash site remained active for a period as both vehicles were removed—one by D and K Wrecker and the other by Sprouse Towing—while investigators worked to piece together the cause of the collision. Both drivers were reported to have been wearing safety restraints at the time of the incident.
Troopers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E continue to investigate the sequence of events leading up to the crash, including the reason the Nissan left the roadway. No citations or charges have been announced at this time.
Our thoughts are with both individuals and their families as they begin the recovery process.
