Quadruple fatal crash on I-70 marks Troop F’s 67th fatality in 2018

A quadruple fatal crash on I-70 in Boone County Wednesday brings the total number of fatalities in Troop F this year to 67.

At this time last year, Troop F had seen 48 fatalities.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims involved in the crash. Six vehicles were involved, including at least two tractor-trailers and at least two passenger vehicles.

The deadly crash shut down I-70 westbound for hours.

Investigators said a semitruck that caught fire west of the crash caused the deadly wreck. They said smoke from the fire backed up traffic, and vehicles didn’t have enough time to stop. Sgt. Scott White with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said contributing factors, such as inattention, are unknown at this time.

ABC 17 News also looked at crashes involving a semitruck on I-70 in Boone County over the past five years. So far this year, there have been 12 injury crashes; during the same time last year, there were five.