Missouri crash injures five in Jefferson County
Five people were hospitalized Sunday after a two-car Missouri injury accident on Route W in Jefferson County, according to investigating officers of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The accident took place just after 10 a.m. when Leonard Gaither, 61, lost control of his 1994 Ford Ranger as he tried to negotiate a curve. His vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic where it crashed head-on into a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Clifford Ladenberger, 38. The initial crash report did not specify why Gaither failed to negotiate the curve or how fast he was traveling at the time.
Gaither was injured and taken to St. Anthony's for treatment. Clifford Ladenberger and three others in his car, Skylar Ladenberger, 2, Lisa Bircher, 30, and Ryan Bircher, 11, were all taken to St. John's Medical Center for medical care.
All involved were wearing a seat belt.
Some details still need to be examined about this wreck. Investigators will need to determine what caused Gaither to cross into oncoming traffic. It could have been inattentiveness, speeding or perhaps a problem with his car or another reckless driver. Once all the details are known, the insurance companies will get involved to start the claims process. Before talking to an insurance representative, it wouldn't be a bad idea for the injured parties to contact a St. Louis personal injury lawyer to discuss their rights as accident victims.
