Two seriously injured on Highway 65
Two men were hospitalized after a serious Missouri car accident at the intersection of Highway 65 and Sacajawea Road.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's investigating officer, Joshua Dillon, 25, and Robert Smith, 47, were driving separate cars on the highway at the time of the crash. Dillon was heading southbound in a 1994 Ford, while Smith was heading northbound in a 2004 Dodge. Dillon attempted to make a left turn in front of Smith, but in the process of executing the turn, Smith's car struck the side of Dillon's.
Smith was seriously injured and taken to Bothwell Hospital for emergency treatment. Dillon was also taken to Bothwell Hospital, but with less serious injuries.
More evidence besides the initial crash report is needed to determine exactly what caused this Missouri injury accident. We need to know how close the cars were when Dillon attempted to make the turn, as well as the speeds of the two vehicles.
Left turn crashes are some of the most common types of accidents on U.S. roadways. Anytime you have cars crossing in front of oncoming traffic, you have the potential for a serious wreck. To combat this, federal and state transportation officials have come up with a number of unique solutions. Most recently, the Missouri Department of Transportation gained some national attention for being one of the first in the country to try a "diverging diamond" intersection design in Springfield. This somewhat unusual design has drivers swap sides of the road when passing through the intersection in order to eliminate the need to make a left turn across oncoming traffic.
The best way to prevent these types of accidents, though, is being a defensive and responsible driver. Make sure you have plenty of time to cross in front of an oncoming car and don't speed towards an intersection to beat a light.
