20-Vehicle Crash on Missouri U.S. 60 Injured 33 People near Dexter

Bloomfield, MO—Thick, black smoke is being blamed for a massive pile-up along U.S. 60, which involved about 20 vehicles and injured 33 people on Monday, September 6, 2010, as reported by the Southeast Missourian.

The multiple-vehicle crash occurred between Dexter and Morehouse, Missouri along U.S. 60 just before noon, which shut down the eastbound lanes of the highway for about six hours.

The Stoddard County Ambulance District reported five people sustained life-threatening injuries. Nineteen of the people injured were rushed by ambulance to area hospitals, while three others were airlifted for treatment.

The director of the Stoddard County Ambulance District stated, “Its probably one of the worst accidents we’ve had in this part of the county in several years.”

The Missouri Highway Patrol, Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, along with mutual aid from Sikeston and New Madrid County responded to the crash. Fire departments from Dexter and Essex also responded to the scene.

A farmer nearby was reportedly burning trash, which caught a nearby field on fire, causing the heavy black smoke to linger onto the highway.

A full investigation is underway.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Missouri automobile accident lawyers.