1 Injured in Car Accident on I-44 in Laclede County, MO

Laclede County, MO — January 24, 2025, One person was injured following a car accident that occurred at around 5:44 P.M. on I-44.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person injured during the evening hours of January 24th. According to official reports, a Infiniti G35 was evading police while traveling on I-44 near mile marker 133 when it struck a Ford Escape followed by an 18-wheeler.

When first responders arrived on the scene they found that one of the occupants of the Escape had sustained serious injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time it remains unknown what caused the vehicle to lose control as well as the status of the driver, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

High-speed chases and police evasions add layers of complexity to crash investigations, often leaving the public with more questions than answers. While it may seem straightforward that the fleeing driver caused the wreck, determining the full circumstances of the crash requires a closer look. There are three critical questions that should be asked to ensure all relevant factors are considered.

The first question is whether authorities conducted a thorough investigation. Given that law enforcement was already involved in pursuing the Infiniti, it’s important to examine how the crash itself was documented. Were all drivers and passengers interviewed? Did investigators assess whether traffic conditions, road design, or other external factors played a role? Was the collision reconstructed to determine the precise sequence of events? When multiple vehicles—including a large commercial truck—are involved, even small details can make a significant difference in understanding what happened.

Next, has anyone looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect? While it’s easy to assume that the Infiniti lost control solely due to reckless driving, mechanical failures can contribute to crashes, even in high-speed situations. Brake malfunctions, steering failures, or stability control issues could have played a role, not just in the Infiniti’s actions, but in how the Ford Escape and the 18-wheeler responded to the impact. Without examining this possibility, a key factor in the crash may go unnoticed.

Finally, has all available electronic data been collected? The event data recorders (EDRs) in each vehicle may contain crucial information about speed, braking, and steering in the moments before impact. Additionally, surveillance footage, dash cam recordings, and even police body cam footage could provide key details about how the crash unfolded. If this evidence isn’t gathered quickly, valuable data could be lost, making it harder to establish a complete and accurate account of the wreck.

Crashes involving police pursuits are often chaotic, but that doesn’t mean important details should be overlooked. Those injured in crashes like this deserve a full investigation that accounts for every possible factor—not just the most obvious explanations—so they can move forward with a clear understanding of what happened and why.