Union, MO (May 9, 2026) – Two people were seriously injured in a multi-vehicle crash on Friday morning, May 8, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 50 and Route AT in Franklin County. Emergency units responded to the scene around 9:20 a.m.
According to crash reports, a Mercedes-Benz Metris was stopped at a stop sign on Route AT when it entered the intersection and failed to yield to westbound traffic on US-50. A Freightliner traveling west on US-50 struck the left rear of the Mercedes, causing it to skid and overturn.
Investigators said the overturned Mercedes then struck a Harley-Davidson Tri Glide that was stopped in the eastbound left-turn lane on US-50. The impact caused damage to multiple vehicles and blocked the intersection.
A 31-year-old female driver from Union suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Washington. A 50-year-old female driver from Fort Worth, Texas, sustained serious injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital St. Louis. The Freightliner driver was not seriously injured and remained at the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
We are thinking of those injured as they recover.
Why Do Intersection Chain-Reaction Crashes Often Become Severe?
Intersection crashes can escalate quickly when one vehicle fails to yield and enters the path of oncoming traffic. Once the first impact occurs, vehicles might be pushed into additional lanes or stop traffic, increasing the risk of secondary collisions.
Large commercial vehicles can also increase crash severity due to their size and stopping distance. Investigators often review right-of-way, signal control, and vehicle movement patterns to determine how the sequence of impacts unfolded. When multiple vehicles are stopped or turning, even a single failure to yield can lead to a complex chain-reaction crash.
