Two lanes of northbound I-55 were shut down briefly Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 17, following a two-vehicle crash in Pevely, Police Chief Jamie Mayberry said.
Mayberry said witnesses reported that two vehicles were racing each other at about 2 p.m. at a high rate of speed on northbound I-55 through road construction and were just exiting the construction zone when one of the vehicles changed lanes and clipped a third vehicle, which rolled over. He said two occupants of the vehicle that rolled over were moderately injured and taken to an area hospital for treatment.
He said traffic citations were issued. The accident is still under investigation, and it is not yet known if criminal charges will be sought.
Mayberry said the drivers of the racing vehicles were young. He said this incident shows why Pevely officers have been taking part in Operation Brakepoint to promote safe driving along I-55 in the construction zone. The speed limit in the area is 50 mph.
The roadwork on I-55 is part of an estimated $246 million I-55 Corridor Improvements project that runs from just north of Pevely to just south of Festus. The MoDOT construction project to add a third lane in each direction on I-55 between Pevely and Hwy. 67 began in January 2024 and is expected to be completed in December 2026.
The project also includes the replacement of the signalized intersection at Hwy. 67 and Hwy. CC with an interchange that allows free-flowing traffic at Hwy. 67 under a new Hwy. CC bridge; constructing new interchanges at Hwy. Z in Pevely, McNutt Street in Herculaneum and at Hwy. 67 south of Festus; replacing 14 bridges; and rehabilitating 12 bridges and other improvements.
