3 die on Missouri highways over Christmas travel period

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Three people were killed in an eastern Missouri crash over the Christmas holiday travel period, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Thursday.

No one was killed in Mid-Missouri crashes, the patrol reports. However, eight people were hurt including one with serious injuries when a small SUV tried to cross Highway 54 at Old Bass Road near Brazito.

Highway Patrol troopers were sent to 65 crashes including 38 injuries between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release. Last year's travel period was 78 hours, compared to this year's 30. Troopers worked 1,034 crashes in 2023 with two deaths.

This year's deadly crash happened in St. Francois County on Christmas Eve when a 28-year-old woman from Valles Mines went off the road and hit a tree, the patrol says. Two boys, ages 4 and 6, were also killed.

No boating crashes or drownings were reported over the holiday.