Tyler J. Jekel-Plaggenburg, 21, of High Ridge was seriously hurt Tuesday morning (Aug. 20) in a two-vehicle accident on I-55 north of Hwy. AA in the far southern portion of Jefferson County. Frank R. Cramer, 52, of Festus also was hurt in the accident, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
The accident occurred about 4:15 a.m. when Cramer was driving a southbound 2016 Peterbilt 579 tractor-trailer and began to slow for a crash ahead that was partially blocking the roadway, and Jekel-Plaggenburg, driving a southbound 2016 GMC 1500 pickup, struck the rear of the big rig, the report said.
Jekel-Plaggenburg was flown by a Survival Flight helicopter to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur, where he was listed in serious condition late Tuesday afternoon, a hospital spokesman said.
Cramer was taken by Joachim-Plattin Ambulance to Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City with moderate injuries, according to the report.
Jekel-Plaggenburg was not wearing a seat belt, and Cramer was wearing one, the patrol reported.
The pickup was totaled and the tractor-trailer had moderate damage, the report said.