Five police officers and two Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers responded to a three-vehicle accident Friday night near the city limits on North U.S. 63.
Chief Jim McNiell said the crash occurred at about 7:45 p.m. when a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup being driven northbound by Benjamin T. Hickcox, 50, of Houston, turned left in front of a southbound Volvo tractor-trailer driven by Charles C. Reynolds, 47, of LaRussell.
The big rig struck the right-rear side of the pickup, causing it to hit a stopped 2006 Chevrolet pickup being driven by David T. McCloud, 34, of Houston, who was waiting to turn from Oak Hill Drive onto U.S. 63.
The seven officers at the scene had their hands full, as traffic was heavy on the highway due to a concert and carnival occurring at the adjacent Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds.
“That really complicated matters,” McNiell said. “But the officers who there all handled it very professionally.”
All three vehicles sustained significant damage and had to be towed away. There were no reported injuries.
“We were very fortunate,” McNiell said.