UPDATE 8/16/23: According to the Highway Patrol, the drivers involved in the crash have both died.

Angela G. Wilkinson, 56, passed away August 11 at Cox South and Viktoriya L. Moroz, 29, died on August 15 at Mercy.

A six-year-old boy and an infant under a year old remain in the hospital in serious condition.

UPDATE 5:05 P.M.: A Highway Patrol crash reports states all seven people involved in the crash were taken to the hospital.

The report states both drivers have serious injuries, along with a six-year-old boy. In the car where the boy was hurt, there were five kids ranging from under a year old to eight years old.

Original Post:

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A crash involving two cars east of Springfield has left one person with serious injuries and another with moderate injuries.

Missouri Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 10:15 a.m. near the intersection of Highway D And Farm Road 199.

“A westbound vehicle apparently had lost control in rain, slicked highways,” Troop D Sgt. Mike McClure said. “[The driver] hydroplaned [and] collided with an eastbound passenger car.”

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office said ambulances took both drivers to Mercy Hospital.

“The driver in the car was the sole occupant of that vehicle, which was the eastbound vehicle,” McClure said. “[That car] collided with the SUV [which had] I think about five children in that vehicle. None were injured, and ultimately that vehicle flipped over.”

The Greene County Sheriff’s office spent almost two hours directing traffic away from the area, shutting down part of Highway D while highway patrol responded.

McClure said this crash emphasizes the importance of driving cautiously in heavy rain.

“Hydroplaning is going to happen with vehicles with good tires or bad tires,” McClure said. “So just slow down, don’t drive with your cruise control on.”

Highway D opened back up around 12:45 p.m.