JOPLIN, Mo. — About 7:40 p.m. Sunday night reports of a tractor trailer crash along I-44 east near 2.8 mile marker.
Joplin Fire responded, Joplin Police, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Redings Mill Fire, Newton County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Initially the interstate eastbound was closed at Downstream Blvd, exit 1 from Oklahoma. At 10:05 p.m. one lane eastbound was opened even as wrecker crews continued to work on the crashed vehicles.
Sgt Clay Collard of the Joplin Police Dept tells us on scene that one driver was rescued from his burning cab by a Missouri State Highway Patrolman. The crash occurred near the entrance to the eastbound weigh station that was manned.
In all four tractor trailers are involved. Two were able to pull into the weigh station and park. One is completely overturned. Then one is on fire, and among the mangled wreckage, hard to determine if the cab is upright.
Sgt Collard tells us the one person transported suffered life-threatening injuries.
Missouri State Highway Patrol will be handing the crash investigation.
Joplin Fire Dept determined the fire was under control at 9:27 p.m. Then at 10:05 p.m. they opened one lane of eastbound traffic.
M&M Wrecker and Santa Fe Wrecker both were summoned to assist in removing the two crashed tractors, trailers and loads.
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