Chain reaction crash kills 2, injures 7 near Joplin

by Abby Wuellner, KY3 News

Chain reaction crash kills 2, injures 7 near Joplin
» 36 Comments

Story Published: Oct 8, 2008 at 12:20 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 8, 2008 at 5:33 PM CST

By Gene Hartley

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JOPLIN, Mo. -- Three separate chain-reaction fiery crashes in the fog involved 10 semi trucks, four passenger cars and two pickups on Wednesday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said two people died and seven others were injured.

A trooper said the injuries are critical and serious but he expects those people to survive. Some of the injured people are in hospitals in Joplin and others are in hospitals in Springfield.

The crash near mile marker 14 on Interstate 44 east of Joplin stopped traffic in both lanes just after 7 a.m. By noon, the westbound lanes were moving and troopers hoped to have the eastbound lanes opened by early afternoon. That turned out to be wrong, however, because damage to the highway from the fires and the crashes is worse than feared, and repairs may be necessary.

Traffic was detoured on Missouri 249 to Duenweg and then Missouri 66 (Business Route 44).

Thursday, Nov 6 at 7:21 PM Bobbie wrote ...

I've read the comments and I don't think you should throw blame.any time you get in a car or truck big or small anything could happen.I think of the ones that were hurt and lost their lives that day and their families.So don't blame the truckers.

Thursday, Oct 30 at 6:50 PM ann wrote ...

chad i think your ideas of truck drives is very wrong i know truck drivers are not always to blame i lost someone very dear to me in that wreck he left behind a wife and 2and half year old son before you start throwing the blame think of all the families that lost someone dear that day

Friday, Oct 10 at 1:02 AM Jennifer wrote ...

I think car are just as just as much fault they will pull in front of trucks like they can really stop

Thursday, Oct 9 at 10:35 PM unknown wrote ...

I married a trucker along with haveing a father as a truck and it's not always the trucker and it's not always the car. A accident is just that, and really you can't put plan on anyone until you know the whole story. It could have been anything that caused that accident. Don't go putting the blame on trucker just cause you are scared to drive on the road with them and the truckers don't need to blame the same cars and truck just cause the have a dead line to meet.Everyone fallow the law.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 10:29 PM Sensible thinker wrote ...

Trucking companies & government have very strict rules for driver's to ensure your safety on the road. It's a big responsibility while hauling these loads. Bend a fender and it comes out of their paycheck, kill someone and they never get over it, so Professional truckdrivers take their work and your life seriously. 80,000 lbs,consider that when you pull out or stop in front of them, be responsible, don't blame them if you're careless or for the weather. This was a freak accident.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 8:50 PM Suzi wrote ...

I don't know who was at fault, but I do know this...Someone's father, mother, sister, brother, child or friend died on Wednesday and other's are still trying to hang on to life. Because of an accident, which most of us have been involved in to one degree or another before. It was not on purpose nor was it premeditated. Driving is serious business and needs to be treated as such.I for one, am just sorry to hear this accident happened and wish the best to all touched by it.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 4:53 PM Deanna wrote ...

My father drove a truck for over 40 years and was awarded a safe driver award for several of those years. He however was involved in 2 accidents over the years. Both due to people in cars that should not have been driving. He taught me to respect these hard working individuals and the rigs they drive.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 4:28 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What's stupid, is telling someone they won't get toilet paper or other supplies for a year b/c he sent in his OWN opinion on a very sad, and tragic accident. If this is the kind of nonsense people come up with to comment on a crash involving multiple fatalities and injuries then we've got bigger issues than bad drivers!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 4:08 PM Lori wrote ...

I must say I have respect for truck drivers. Their job is not an easy one . However some truck drivers (as well as car/van drivers) do not use the caution they should. The only difference is the size of an semi versus a car/van/truck. I do feel some truck drivers should be far more cautious than they are because their vehicle can be far more deadly. I traveled I-44 weekly and it is a dangerous hwy. I had an accident with an semi. They took my lane hit me and never stopped. More caution is needed

Thursday, Oct 9 at 3:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I'm amazed that you all actually posted these comments. Do you have any idea how ridiculous most of your comments sound? Two people DIED and several others injured and burned. I care about the lives lost and their families. I DON'T care if anyone NOT involved is getting their feelings hurt by someone who really did not make a negative claim against ALL truckers in the first place. Accidents happen, and they will unfortunately continue to happen. It's a sad, sad reality.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 2:58 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I drove over the road for 3 years and my husband still drives to this day,,,it is NOT always the truckers fault. My husband was involved in an accdient about 3 months ago that caused a 7 car pile up on I44 eastbound,,,and guess what,,,it was a cars FAULT!!! Truckers are trained to do what they do,,,4 wheelers just take a test and are handed a license,,,go figure. So,,,lets take the 4 wheelers off the road!!!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 12:33 PM Lorraine wrote ...

Hmmm. Ship it by rail. Wonder how those trains will make deliveries to the warehouses and to the stores. That will be a big expense to lay all those tracks..

Thursday, Oct 9 at 10:58 AM kat wrote ...

people need to lay off on the truckers they are not always at fault taking them off the road is not the answer shipping by rail wont get to people in areas away from rail. i ride in a truck every day so i know exactly what they have to put up with.until you know first hand what they go through every day,dont point your finger at them everytime.just lay off of the truckers

Thursday, Oct 9 at 10:55 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I'm sure a combination of a lot of things caused this wreck. You can't really point fingers when you don't know exactly what happened. However, I don't think anyone should be calling another person "stupid" on the comment board. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you think you're so intelligence and do choose to label another person that way, make sure your own spelling, grammar, and punctuation are correct.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 10:14 AM Kathryn wrote ...

I just have to comment on this accident. First and foremost, we should be thinking of those who died as the result of this accident, regardless right now of whose fault it was or wasn't. Families have lost loved ones. The inattentiveness of drivers, be it semis, pickup trucks, vans or cars, please watch your driving, don't text, or talk as I saw a gov't car doing last week and it was driving over speed limit in passing lane but not passing and crossing the center line. Please think first!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 9:33 AM Let's face it ... wrote ...

Let's face it - it is neither Always semi-trucks fault nor is it Always the cars fault, however, the fault generally lies with those who are NOT paying attention!! Driving is a FULL-TIME job!!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 9:29 AM Gary wrote ...

Hey 6:52AM Anonymous, what are you thinking? Ship every thing by rail and you put a half million folks out of work. I realize you may be irreplaceable, but I suspect at least one of those folks would qualify to take your job and send you packing. Don't run for office!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 8:36 AM Don wrote ...

According to AAA and evey other montering outfit says 85% of wreeks involving trucks and cars its the cars are at the blame i drive a pick up to ST Louis and KC every week, are running from 75 to 85 mph in and out of traffic i think the biggist problem with MR Chad is he thinks he owns the road if he is scared to drive on the big road maybe he should let his girlfriend drive. Drive on two line roads and see what happens when the traffic is going at differint speeds, grow up Chad!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 8:21 AM TU wrote ...

I get very tired of people automatically blaming the truck drivers as well. My husband drives a truck and I can't count the amount of times that he has avoided an accident because of a car driver's stupidity. This could have been the case in this accident. People need to keep in mind, these trucks can not stop on a dime. And yes - trucks will take advantage of the speed limit because they are on a time schedule as well. They already have to adhere to a ton of regulations.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 7:37 AM Judy wrote ...

great acronym pete . I'll e-mail it to friends and family see it and hope to see it go world wide to many accidents are caused by drivers ignoring the weather

Thursday, Oct 9 at 7:20 AM Pete Taylor wrote ...

Wow what a can of worms we have here. A couple more points I would like to make. First Cell phones, People are quick to blame the cell phone, funny how for years truckers have used cb radios and police drivers use 2 way radios and computers. I am not a trucker but I would like to point out I have never seen a trucker putting on makeup in his\her rearview mirror. What I heard on the news was "a semi truck failed to stop when it came across a line of slowed traffic". TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 7:14 AM Erin wrote ...

The same incident happened in St. Louis not long ago. Its not always the truckers fault. I work in insurance and do you know how many times it because someone in a car is not paying attention, thinks they can cut in front of them etc. People need to realize these truckers can't stop on a dime. Now i know that there are times they are at fault, but an accident is just that an accident. Do you think that trucker wants to live the rest of his live knowing he may be at fault for someones death, no!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 6:53 AM Mike wrote ...

I guess, cell phone use, eating while driving, reading the paper, changing CD's, texting and appling makeup, should never be mentioned? Here is a unique idea, get up 15 minutes earlier each day so you can drive the speed limit, and get better gas mileage. if I-44 drivers would pay more attention, this would not happen as often.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 6:52 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Ship all thoe products by rail! Much more efficient. Get as many trucks off the road as possible.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 5:34 AM Tim wrote ...

Accidents are simply that, accidents. Trying to say that it is more to blame on the big rig than the car is silly. I've seen just as many, if not more drivers in cars, act irresponsibly as I have drivers of big rigs. If everyone would act responsibly, whether they are driving cars or trucks, there would simply be less accidents.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 2:58 AM jeff wrote ...

some people are just idiots granit im only 21 but i drove a 20 foot water tank semi for a year locally and those are the hardest to stop when you need to stop that quick. it should be a law to get your license that you must take a course for semi truck driving so people will relieze how hard it is to stop them. when people cut in frount, slam on brakes, or just drive stupid like they do in springfield area things like this will happen until everybody stops and thinks before they get in vehicls

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 11:19 PM Sue wrote ...

Its not always a truckers fault...

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 10:38 PM Truck Driver wrote ...

Splitting speed limits between big trucks and the rest of the motoring public is not the answer. For someone who has traveled all over the country you must have missed a few states like Illinois or Ohio where they do have split speed limits and you would know they don't work. You must have also missed Nebraska, Wyoming, New Mexico and other western states where a truck that is speeding only ten mph over the limit is doing 85mph.Yet you claim I-44 is the most terrifying road you've shared with us

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 9:39 PM anonymous wrote ...

Chad, where does the print above your comment say that the trucks were at fault. Those of you that drive "big rigs" and buses, including school and charter buses can vouch that not all accidents involving trucks are a direct result of a truck driver doing something wrong. Driver's of cars are notorious for cutting in front of truck and into the "safe zone" that truckers create to allow for safe driving and adequate stopping distance.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 9:03 PM bgdrwn@aol wrote ...

i dont think the truck drivers are at fault im almost sure someone was talking on a cell phone and not paying attention i see everyone on cell phones driving and it diverts their attention lowering the speed limit for trucks wont accomplish much car verses semi more cars are involed in crashes than semi trucks wanna lower crash rate make laws banning cell phone use while operating a vehicle

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 8:52 PM Dena wrote ...

I think truck drivers know what they are doing but I do agree that it is a feeling of fear being on that Hwy. I live near Springfield and drive that highway often and there are so many wrecks and people fly on that Hwy. I heard that the fog was to blame for this wreck and I beleive it cause in the fog or rain and the speed combined, it is not a safe place to drive.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 8:06 PM Steve wrote ...

It amazes me how many drivers of big rigs tailgate just to get someone out of their way. If it takes a car so many hundred feet to stop at a high rate of speed, what would it take for a huge vehicle to stop? Truckers, drive cautiously and don't try to bully others out of your way.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 7:51 PM Marianne wrote ...

Just because there were semi trucks involved in this accident DOESNT mean it was there fault. I am SO tired of everyone assuming they are always at fault. ive road many of mikes in a semi and the only time I have ever been scared was when a person in a car did something stupid like pull out in front of us or just stop. So, Chad...your just stupid!! You should have to ride across the state in a semi...then you might understand its not ALWAYS the truckers at fault

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 7:35 PM debbie wrote ...

The speed wasn't it it was fog, is what the news said. But alot of truck drivers there is not enough room to park when they get in weather like that so they hope they can drive out of it. It just so happens they always want to blame a truck driver. Truck drivers do not want to wreck anymore than any one else.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 5:58 PM Liz wrote ...

I agree Chad. Something should be done about the 18 wheelers. There are some people who handle the responsibility of driving these vehicles well, but there are some of these drivers who are down right scary. I think there should be tighter laws on their speed.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 5:52 PM Larry wrote ...

I vote that chad gets no toilet paper or any other products delivered by semis for 1 whole year. since he has such a problem with trucks that deliver his personal products and others. His little 4 wheel car needs to be restricted to 2 lane hwys, since the 18 wheelers need to run up and down the interstates to deliver all the products that keep our great nation functioning.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 5:46 PM Lorraine wrote ...

Chad have you ever drove a semi truck.I have. How about teaching people how to drive cars. Why are you attacking the truck drivers. It does NOT state what caused the accident (except fog). You are ASSUMING that the truck caused it. EVERYONE IS SUPPOSE TO DRIVE IN THE RIGHT LANE, THAT'S WHY IT IS CALLED THE DRIVING LANE. THE LEFT LANE IS FOR PASSING. Just watch people drive. Most are driving in the LEFT (wrong) lane. Without Truckers we would have NOTHING in our homes or in the stores.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 4:58 PM Chad wrote ...

I-44 has a truck problem. I have driven all over this great nation and never felt fear from trucks like I do on that highway. I believe that it is time for our leaders in Jeff City to step in and lower the speed limit for 18-wheelers. I also believe that they should be restricted to the right lane in places. Lets slow these trucks down and save lives.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 4:08 PM redneckdrum wrote ...

Never heard of that acronym,Pete.I teach driver safety,so I'm gonna pass that one along,THANKS!

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 3:00 PM Pete Taylor wrote ...

These types of accidents are avoidable if drivers stick to one rule whilst driving in "FOG". Foot Off Gas.

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