TOWN AND COUNTRY, Mo. — A tractor-trailer apparently hit vehicles stuck in traffic on a St. Louis-area highway Tuesday, causing a pileup that killed two people and injured a dozen, authorities said.
Three of the injured were in critical condition after the nine-vehicle crash on U.S. 40, emergency responders said.
It appeared that the semi ran into about five vehicles sitting in backed-up traffic, said State Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Al Nothum.
“The driver just ran over the cars,” he said, adding that no cause had been concretely determined.
The collision involved nine vehicles, with several overturned or crushed between others, said Kim Bacon, spokeswoman for West County Emergency Medical Services and Fire Protection District.
Of eight victims taken to St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, two are in satisfactory condition, two are serious, three are critical and one was released, said hospital spokesman David Downs.
Four people were taken to Missouri Baptist Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Mary Beck said. Two had minor injuries and two were listed in serious condition, she said.