A three-vehicle crash shut down part of Interstate 44 near Exit 189 on Wednesday afternoon, causing significant traffic delays in both directions, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and local emergency services.
The St. James Ambulance District confirmed that multiple emergency agencies responded to the scene, located in the westbound lanes. A post from the Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District, which also responded, shows images of emergency personnel and damaged vehicles involved in the incident.
Although the crash occurred on the westbound side, eastbound lanes were also heavily backed up, according to updates posted on social media.
MoDOT stated the crash occurred just after 2:00 p.m., and that cleanup efforts could take up to three hours. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes as crews worked to clear the scene and investigate the cause.
No immediate information on injuries has been released.
