Two men were injured late Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 23, in a six-vehicle accident on I-55 north of Richardson Road in Arnold, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
At 4:43 p.m., Jason S. Gibson, 44, of Arnold was driving a southbound 2010 Toyota Venza, and the front of the Venza struck the rear of a southbound 2013 Acura TSX that was stopped ahead on the interstate, causing the TSX to partially enter the adjacent lane while striking the rear of a stopped southbound 2020 Mazda 6. Then the front right side of a southbound 2012 Mazda CX-3 traveling in an adjacent lane struck the front left side of the Mazda 6, the report said.
After that collision, the TSX and CX-3 spun, and the front of the CX-3 struck the front of a stopped southbound 2014 Ford Escape. In addition, the rear of the TSX struck the front left side of a stopped southbound 2011 BMW X5, according to the report.
Demir Tankosic, 27, of St. Louis was driving the TSX; Jessica N. McBride, 36, of St. Louis was driving the Mazda 6; Merlin R. Richter, 81, of Jackson was driving the Mazda CX-3; Salazar Lourdes, 38, of Arnold was driving the Escape; and Sheri D. Kelly, 53, of Fenton was driving the BMW X5, the report said.
Tankosic was moderately injured and Richter was seriously injured, and both were taken by Rock Township Ambulance to Mercy Hospital South in south St. Louis County. Tankosic was treated and released, and as of Thursday, Aug. 24, Richter was listed in satisfactory condition, a hospital spokesman said.
No injuries were reported for the other drivers.
According to the report, all drivers except for Richter were wearing seat belts.
The TSX and CX-3 were totaled, the Venza and Mazda 6 were moderately damaged, and the Escape and BMW sustained minor damage, the report said.