Winds blamed for crash: SUV pulling camper, both overturn on I-44 near Fidelity

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) - About 12:15 p.m. Tuesday reports of an overturned camper trailer and SUV along I-44 east near Fidelity, Mo. alerted Jasper County E-911.

Carthage Fire, Duenweg Fire, Mercy AMB, and Jasper County Deputies responded. Missouri State Highway Patrol and MoDOT were notified.

SUV was pulling a 32-foot (est.) camper eastbound on I-44 and both  overturned, blocking the passing lane near 18.0 mile marker. At one time traffic eastbound was blocked 3+ miles.

The winds this afternoon are extremely gusty. It was determined they played a part.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Linda and Ronald Gass, both 72, of Broken Arrow, Okla. both suffered moderate injuries and were transported to Mercy Joplin.

Their 2018 Chevy Tahoe overturned as the force of winds knocked over the pull-along camper.

“The crash occurred as a heavy gust of wind pushed the [Tahoe] into the guardrail. [Tahoe] traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck the guardrail, and returned to the roadway. [Gass] overcorrected and [Tahoe] with its trailer began to overturn. [Tahoe] traveled off the left side of the roadway and came to final rest facing north.”

— Tpr T.C. Smith of Troop D, Jasper Co.

M&M Wrecker worked to upright, remove the vehicles and debris. Crash was cleared in about 80 minutes.

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