In a heartbreaking incident late Friday night, a fatal crash on I-44 near Exit 4/Petro in Joplin, Missouri, claimed the life of a young woman from Oklahoma. An investigation into the events that led up to the collision was immediately launched by the Joplin Police Major Crash Team, which arrived at the scene of the accident relatively quickly.
Emergency Response to I-44 Crash
Joplin E-911 received reports of a collision on Interstate 44 Eastbound near Exit 4/Petro at approximately eleven o’clock on Friday night. A tragic discovery was made as a result of the prompt response of Joplin Police, Joplin Fire, METS AMB, and Newton County Ambulance to the scene of the incident.
Collision Details Unfold
It has been determined through preliminary investigations that a semi-tractor-trailer was entering the deceleration lane on Interstate 44 in order to take the exit to State Highway 43. The truck was traveling east on the highway. During the same time period, a passenger vehicle that was also traveling east on Interstate 44 collided with the rear of the trailer. Because of the impact, the passenger vehicle moved to the right side of the road and veered off the roadway.
Victim Identified – Rachel Binford
Rachel Binford, who was 24 years old and from Stillwater, Oklahoma, was the driver of the passenger vehicle. Unfortunately, she passed away as a result of the injuries she sustained in the collision. An additional layer of heartache has been added to this tragic event by the fact that the next of kin have been informed. It is important to note that the black passenger car did not contain any other passengers.
Seat Belt Absence and Semi-Truck Occupants
Sgt. Jared Delzell, who is in charge of the Major Crash Team for the Joplin Police Department, disclosed that the driver who passed away was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. Fortunately, both the driver and the passenger of the semi-truck that was involved in the accident were able to walk away completely unharmed.
Respectful Delay in Information Release
KOAM’s Shannon Becker, who was present at the scene of the accident, exercised discretion and delayed the release of information until the notification of the next of kin was officially confirmed. This considerate approach made certain that the family had been appropriately informed prior to the revealing of the details to the general public.
Police Press Conference Highlights
A press conference was held by Captain Davis, who stated that the investigation was still ongoing. He also made a veiled reference to the possibility that additional information would be disclosed as the process progressed. As a result of this tragic event, Joplin has experienced four fatalities as a result of traffic accidents in the year 2024, highlighting the critical need for increased awareness of road safety.
A Community Mourns and Awaits Further Detail
At the same time that Joplin is struggling to come to terms with the aftermath of this fatal accident, the community is mourning the loss of Rachel Binford, a young woman from Oklahoma who was full of life. The Joplin Police Major Crash Team is still committed to completing their investigation into the incident and determining its full scope.
As additional information becomes available, the city as a whole is hoping to find answers that could help eliminate the possibility of further tragedies occurring on the roads. In the meantime, the community extends its condolences to the family that is grieving and waits for further developments from the investigation that is currently underway. KOAM News Now will keep you updated on the most recent information regarding this tragic event, so make sure you tune in.
