Phelps Co., MO (August 4, 2026) – A 32-year-old Rolla man was seriously injured Sunday, August 2, in a two-vehicle collision on eastbound Interstate 44. The vehicles came together around 10:22 p.m. near mile marker 178.8.
A 2016 Dodge Journey struck the rear of a unit being towed by an eastbound 2019 Kenworth tractor. The Dodge then traveled off the right side of the highway and overturned.
Emergency units flew the Dodge driver to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries. The 35-year-old Kenworth operator from Spring Hill, Florida, was not listed as hurt.
The Dodge was declared a total loss and removed by a towing company. The Kenworth had moderate damage and was driven away afterward.
The accident remains under review. We hope the injured driver receives care and gets better.
How Road Departure Can Worsen a Rear-End Crash
A towed unit may extend far behind a tractor and sit higher than many passenger vehicles. When a smaller vehicle reaches its rear, the height difference can affect how the front structure absorbs force and protects the driver.
Leaving the pavement can create additional dangers. Soft shoulders, slopes, ditches, and uneven ground may cause a vehicle to lose stability or overturn. Rotation can move occupants against seat belts, doors, windows, and the roof.
Travel speed, contact angle, vehicle size, and roadside design may influence injury severity. Medical teams often check for head, chest, spinal, and internal trauma after a rollover. Some harm may not be immediately visible and can require imaging, repeated examinations, or close monitoring at a trauma center.
