A child was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital following a crash involving a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT van on Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, in Farmington, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
According to a Highway Patrol report, a 35-year-old Farmington woman driving a 1999 Chevrolet Geo Prism was crossing Hwy. 67 onto Hildebrecht Road at about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday as the SWAT van, a 2020 Ford F-550, was traveling south on the highway.
The woman’s vision was obscured by the sun, and she allegedly crossed the highway when it was not safe, causing the SWAT van to hit the back left side of the Prism, the report said.
A 13-year-old Farmington boy was seriously injured in the collision. Air Evac Lifeteam transported the boy to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, according to the report.
The woman driving the Prism was moderately injured and transported by St. Francois County Ambulance to Barnes Jewish, the report said.
No deputies were injured.
“Our prayers are with that young person and their family,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement following the accident.
The SWAT van was moderately damaged, and the Prism was totaled, according to the report.
The Sheriff’s Office said the deputies were traveling from a training session. Spokesman Grant This morning, Oct. 9, Bissell said five deputies were in the van at the time of the accident. The Highway Patrol reported a 25-year-old man was driving the SWAT vehicle.
Bissell said the Sheriff’s Office has two SWAT vans. He said the van involved in the accident is a G3 model, which is larger and has more equipment than the other van.
Bissell said the damaged van cannot be used until it is repaired.