Cape Girardeau, MO (June 25, 2026) – Two people were injured on Wednesday morning, June 24, after a two-vehicle collision on Missouri Route 74 in Cape Girardeau County. The accident happened around 10:30 a.m., about one mile west of Cape Girardeau.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 23-year-old Cape Girardeau man was driving a 2012 Ford F-150 west on Missouri Route 74. A 64-year-old Zalma woman was driving a 2011 Nissan Versa east on the same road.
Investigators said the Ford turned into the Nissan’s path, and the Nissan hit the side of the Ford. Both vehicles were listed as total losses.
The Nissan driver had serious injuries. A 37-year-old female passenger in the Nissan had moderate injuries. Both women were taken by ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center.
The crash remains under review as investigators continue documenting the roadway and vehicle damage. We hope both injured women receive steady care and recover safely.
Why Side-Impact Crashes Can Cause Serious Injuries
Side-impact crashes can be severe because the side of a vehicle has less space to absorb force than the front or rear. When another vehicle hits a door or passenger space, people inside may feel the force more directly.
These collisions can lead to head, chest, shoulder, hip, or leg injuries. Seatbelts help keep people in place, but they cannot prevent every injury when the hit comes from the side.
Investigators often review vehicle direction, turning movement, damage patterns, and final stopping points after this type of accident. Those details can help show how the vehicles came together and why the injuries occurred.
