Parts of I-70 and I-44 in Missouri were temporarily closed Tuesday because of three traffic accidents.
A crash closed eastbound I-70 for several hours at Kingdom City in Callaway County. A westbound lane was temporarily blocked, with traffic moving very slowly.
The accident happened around 9:15 a.m. when a tractor trailer was traveling in the westbound lanes when it lost control and crossed the median. That semi struck another tractor trailer in the eastbound lanes head-on.
A total of seven vehicles were involved, including three semi-trucks. Two people died in the crash and five others injured were taken to the University Hospital in Columbia. Their conditions are unknown. Two others involved were not hurt.
Crews worked throughout the day and dealt with the rain to clear that scene. Eastbound motorists were detoured around the area by taking Route J at exit 137, south to Route F, east to Route 54, and east to I-70.
Two accidents also resulted in closures of I-44 – one near Union and one near Rolla. Road crews worked to clear both of those scenes.
