Washington County, MO (May 5, 2026) – Two drivers from Potosi were hurt in a two-vehicle crash on Missouri Route 21, south of Shoal Road, on Monday, May 4, at approximately 5:55 p.m. Both vehicles were totaled in the collision.
A 74-year-old man was driving northbound on MO-21 when he turned left into the path of a southbound 2006 Ford Fusion driven by a 57-year-old man. The front of the Fusion struck the front right of the turning vehicle. The Fusion then left the road and hit a tree before coming to rest blocking the southbound lane.
Both drivers suffered moderate injuries. The 74-year-old was taken to a local hospital, and the 57-year-old was taken to a separate hospital in the area. The 74-year-old was wearing a safety device at the time of the crash; the 57-year-old was not.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available. Our thoughts are with both drivers as they recover.
What Risks Come with Left-Turn Crashes on Two-Lane Highways in Missouri?
Left-turn crashes on two-lane rural highways in Missouri are among the more serious types of collisions that occur outside of city limits. When a driver turns left across oncoming traffic, the window of time for the other driver to react is often very short, especially at higher speeds common on state routes. The resulting impact frequently involves the front ends of both vehicles, which can cause significant damage and injury even at moderate speeds.
Rural roads like MO-21 in Washington County often lack dedicated left-turn lanes or protected signal phases, which increases the risk at intersections and driveways. When a vehicle also leaves the roadway after a crash and strikes a fixed object like a tree, the force of that secondary impact can add to the severity of injuries already sustained in the initial collision.
