ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. – A horrific crossover crash closed a lane of westbound Interstate 64 Friday morning. Late that afternoon, St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar confirmed the crash had turned into a criminal investigation.
Two people died at the scene of the collision, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said. Three injured people were taken to two hospitals, two of them in critical condition. The two people in critical condition later died at SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital.
The accident occurred just before 10:40 a.m. near the Lake St Louis city limit sign, near Route N at Highway 364 in St. Charles County
The Missouri State Patrol Highway said a 2009 Ford F-250 was traveling east on I-64 when the truck crossed into the median, through the cable barrier, and slammed into two vehicles head-on – a 2014 Honda Odyssey and a 2017 Acura MDX.
“Just looking at the damage of the vehicles, you can tell it was a horrendous impact. And the people in the minivan, you know, they probably didn’t even have a chance to avoid the crash at the time,” said Trooper Dallas Thompson, Missouri State Highway Patrol.
A 29-year-old St. Charles man was behind the wheel of the pickup truck. He survived the crash. The 69-year-old driver of the Acura also survived.
Two 44-year-old women, Lesley Prather and Carrie McCaw, were killed. Two 12-year-old children were pronounced dead at the hospital. All four victims were from Louisville, Kentucky.
Westbound I-64 was closed at Bryan Road during the investigation.
State troopers said the pickup truck started to overturn before the head-on crash.
“At this point in time, we’re not sure what caused the driver to lose control of his pickup truck and travel into the median and through the cables,” Thompson said. “Our hearts and prayers will go out to all the families of anyone involved in this crash here today.”
Investigators said the pickup truck is from Sweetens Concrete Services out of Wentzville. The company did not respond to a request for comment.
DEVELOPING: Here is another picture of horrible and deadly crash scene at 40/364 in St. Charles County. 40 westbound is completely closed at Bryan Road and some traffic moving very slowly on 40 east at scene. Investigators say two people died at the scene; two others at hospital. pic.twitter.com/UMknhdqXPX
— Chris Regnier (@chrisregniertv) February 14, 2020
DEVELOPING: Horrible crossover crash on Highway 40 at 364 leaves 4 people dead. MO Highway Patrol says pick up truck on 40 east crossed over into westbound lanes and slammed into two vehicles. Crash happened right at Lake St Louis city limit sign. MO Hwy Patrol investigating. pic.twitter.com/WFBSgYVhGZ
— Chris Regnier (@chrisregniertv) February 14, 2020
