Nixa, MO (May 20, 2026) – A young woman from Springfield was killed Tuesday after a car hydroplaned on Highway 14, approximately three miles west of the Nixa city limits. The accident happened around 12:20 p.m., near Delaware Town Road.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that an SUV struck the car on the passenger side. The 18-year-old was a passenger in a car that crossed the centerline after losing traction in the rain. Three other people in the collision were hurt, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate.
None of those involved in the wreck has been publicly identified. Rainy weather at the time appears to have been a contributing factor.
Investigators are working to establish the full sequence of events, and additional findings will be shared as they become available.
Our deepest condolences go out to the young woman’s family and all those who loved her.
How Wet Roads Contribute to Hydroplaning Crashes
Hydroplaning happens when a layer of water builds up between a vehicle’s tires and the road surface, causing the driver to lose contact with the pavement. At that point, steering and braking become largely ineffective. It can occur even at moderate speeds, particularly on roads where water has pooled or drainage is limited.
Tire tread depth matters significantly; worn tires clear water much less effectively than newer ones. Crossing the centerline is one of the most common and dangerous outcomes of a hydroplaning event, since it puts a vehicle directly in the path of oncoming traffic. Rainy conditions on two-lane highways are especially high-risk because there is little margin for error when a vehicle drifts out of its lane.
