4 injured in two early-morning crashes in Jefferson City

Jefferson City police responded to two multiple-vehicle collisions on U.S. Route 54 west on Wednesday morning.

Officers said the first crash happened in the 1000 block of U.S. 54, when a Toyota driven by a 16 year old was traveling in the west lane of traffic when she was cut off by an unknown vehicle.

Police said the driver tried to slow down and swerve to avoid crashing into the other vehicle and ran off the right side of the road onto a curb.

The driver then overcorrected and began to swerve and crashed into the guardrail, officers said.

Police said the driver was transported to a local hospital for her injuries.

About 20 minutes after the initial crash, officers responded to the second crash.

Officers said the investigation revealed a Honda Accord was traveling westbound in the inside lane of traffic on the Missouri Boulevard Overpass and came upon stopped traffic due to the crash ahead.

Officers said the driver of the Accord tried to slow down but could not and crashed into the rear of a Ford Focus.

Officers said the driver of the Focus crashed into another Honda Accord.

The driver of the first Accord was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Police said the highway was limited to one westbound lane as emergency crews worked to clear the scene.