SULLIVAN, Franklin County, Mo., Sept. 20, 2026 — Two drivers, including a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, were hurt on Saturday afternoon, September 19, in a two-vehicle crash on Route 185 in Sullivan. One driver was airlifted to a St. Louis-area hospital with serious injuries.
The crash happened just before 4 p.m. near Sullivan Middle School, at the intersection of Route 185 and Hawthorn Lane. A southbound pickup truck, driven by an 84-year-old Sullivan man, was reportedly turning left when it failed to yield to a patrol SUV heading northbound and struck the right side of the trooper's vehicle, according to the crash report.
The impact sent the trooper's SUV skidding and spinning clockwise. The pickup also skidded off the road and struck an embankment, according to the report.
The trooper, a 35-year-old from Weldon Spring, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. The pickup's driver suffered serious injuries and was flown to a hospital in the St. Louis area. The crash remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Left-Turn Crashes
Many drivers assume that failing to yield during a left turn is mostly a problem at busy urban intersections, where traffic is heavy and visibility is poor. In practice, these crashes happen just as frequently on rural or small-town roads, where drivers may misjudge the speed of an oncoming vehicle precisely because traffic is lighter and less expected.
The bigger risk in these crashes usually isn't the turning vehicle itself but what happens to whoever is struck. A driver hit on the side has little protection compared to someone hit head-on with a full front crumple zone to absorb the impact.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure is a reminder that the people most exposed in any given crash aren't always inside the vehicle that caused it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually causes left-turn crashes like this one?
Most happen when a turning driver misjudges the distance or speed of an oncoming vehicle and fails to yield the right of way, sometimes at intersections with limited sight lines.
Does speed make a difference in a side-impact crash?
Yes. Higher speeds increase the force transferred into the side of a vehicle, which has less structure to absorb an impact than the front or rear, raising the risk of serious injury.
Why is distracted driving especially dangerous near intersections?
A moment of inattention while approaching or turning through an intersection can mean missing an oncoming vehicle entirely, leaving no time to brake or adjust.
How do weather or road conditions factor into crashes like this?
Wet or uneven pavement can extend stopping distances and make it harder for a turning driver to judge a safe gap, though authorities have not indicated conditions played a role in this crash.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Sullivan, Missouri
Anyone involved in a crash should first check for injuries and call 911 if needed, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain, so it's worth getting checked by a medical provider soon after, especially following any side-impact collision.
Stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives and completes a report, and exchange information with the other driver if it's safe to do so. Take photos of the vehicles, the roadway, and any visible damage while details are fresh.
Once home, follow up with a doctor if symptoms like stiffness, headaches, or soreness appear in the days after the crash. Keeping records of medical visits and any vehicle damage can help later, whether for insurance purposes or simply to have an accurate account of what happened.
