Deadly crash under investigation in Jefferson City

One person is dead following a serious accident in Jefferson City.

The Jefferson City Police Department is investigating a fatal accident that happened in the 1400 block of Highway 50 eastbound around 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Police say around 2:30 p.m., a truck driven by Stephen Berhorst, 37, of Westphalia crossed the line on Highway 50, striking a tractor trailer. Berhorst’s truck spun around, slid down an embankment and overturned onto its side.

The driver of the tractor trailer, Alan Spaulding, 51, of Versailles, lost control and drove off the highway, through a guardrail and crossed E. Elm Street. The truck then struck a rock bluff.

Spaulding was pronounced dead at the scene. Berhorst suffered serious injuries and was transported to University Hospital.

One lane of Highway 50 eastbound between Clark Avenue and Eastland Drive was closed for much of the afternoon while the investigation is underway.

The Mid-Missouri Red Cross chapter provided canteen service to emergency personnel at the crash scene.

The Department of Natural Resources was called to the scene due to fuel leaking into a nearby creek.