MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MO — Two fatal crashes occurred on Interstate 70 Monday afternoon, resulting in significant traffic disruption, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP).
The first incident involved two semitrucks at the 181-mile marker around 1:45 p.m. A 65-year-old man from Wellsville, Missouri, died at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt when his truck struck another semitruck, which had stopped due to an earlier incident on the highway. The driver of the second semitruck, a 63-year-old from Magnolia, Texas, sustained minor injuries and was wearing his seatbelt.
Both semitrucks were totaled. Emergency responders, including MSHP, attended the scene, and the roadway was closed to traffic.
A second crash occurred moments later between a box truck and a motorcycle on westbound I-70 at the 182.2-mile marker. The motorcycle collided with the rear of the box truck, which had stopped in traffic caused by the first crash. The motorcycle’s driver and passenger, both 36 years old from Kennewick, Washington, were pronounced dead at the scene. They were wearing helmets at the time of the incident.
The driver of the box truck, a 60-year-old man from Fulton, Missouri, was unharmed. The box truck sustained moderate damage while the motorcycle was totaled. All injuries and fatalities have been confirmed.
Authorities stated that westbound I-70 remained closed, with an estimated clearance time of 6 p.m. Traffic delays were reported in the area. The investigation into both crashes is ongoing.