Three area residents were injured this morning (Dec. 11) in a three-vehicle accident on I-55 at mile marker 172.4 south of Festus. One of those people – Jason W. Sherrill, 50, of Farmington – was seriously hurt, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
At about 5:45 a.m., Sherrill was driving a southbound 2016 Caterpillar Conventional heavy-duty truck in the right lane when it struck the rear of a southbound 2013 Kia Sorento SUV driven by Kerry A. Scaggs, 59, of Festus. Then, the truck proceeded south and struck the rear of a southbound 2012 International 4300 commercial truck driven by Theodia Alexander, 27, of St. Louis. After that, the Caterpillar and International ran off the right side of the road and down an embankment, striking trees, the report said.
Sherrill was taken by Joachim-Plattin Ambulance to Mercy Hospital South (formerly St. Anthony’s Medical Center) in south St. Louis County, where he was listed in satisfactory condition this afternoon, a hospital spokesman said.
Scaggs, who had minor injuries, was taken by JPAD to Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City, and Alexander, who also had minor injuries, was taken by personal conveyance to Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis County, the report said.
All three drivers wear wearing seat belts, the patrol reported.
The three vehicles were totaled, the report said.