Troopers investigate deadly crash in Callaway County as ice coats roads
CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Both lanes on westbound I-70 were closed Monday morning while the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigates a deadly crash in Callaway County.
The MoDOT traveler map said the closure was expected to last about two hours. The road reopened at about 9:30 a.m.
In a tweet the Highway Patrol said, "Troopers are investigating a one-vehicle crash involving a tractor-trailer blocking the roadway on westbound I-70 at the 145-mile marker in Callaway County."
The Missouri Department of Transportation is utilizing the Kingdom City exit at the 148-mile marker to reroute traffic, according to troopers.
MoDOT's map showed roads covered in ice throughout most of Missouri as freezing rain continued to fall after 7 a.m. Monday. Public officials around Mid-Missouri asked drivers to stay home to avoid the hazardous driving conditions.
The patrol's Troop F, which covers much of Mid-Missouri, said in a social media post that troopers were working crash scenes in each of the troop's 13 counties.
Troop F Captain Jason Crites is urging everyone to stay home as the road conditions are treacherous. We are responding to crashes in all 13 of our counties.
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) January 22, 2024
(Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Camden, Cole, Cooper, Gasconade, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Montgomery, Morgan, and Osage.) pic.twitter.com/ZsocNGyXe1
MoDOT asked drivers to stay off the roads through midday, especially the stretch of Interstate 70 between Kingdom City and Wentzville, where slide-offs are plentiful.
Schools throughout the area also called off classes Monday to keep students and parents off the roads. The University of Missouri was on remote operation Monday.
Check back for updates as this story is developing.
