Jeep burns on I-44, traffic back up near Joplin Regional Stockyards; Pickup rear-ends semi, secondary crash in backed up traffic

JASPER COUNTY, Mo. (KOAM) — Just after 4:15 p.m. reports of a vehicle on fire, I-44 near the Joplin Regional Stockyards, alerted Jasper County E-911.

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

A Jeep pulled to the right shoulder near I-44 eastbound, 22 exit and became fully-involved.

Everyone was out of the vehicle safely.

Carthage Fire arrived and extinguished the fire quickly but traffic backed up near two miles in the midst of the event.

SECONDARY CRASH OCCURRED 5:25 p.m. IN BACKED UP TRAFFIC

In the backed up traffic a secondary crash occurred that included a pickup rear-ending a tractor-trailer at highway speeds. The driver was trapped in the wreckage of the high-impact crash.

All traffic eastbound was halted as Carthage Fire, Mercy EMS, Jasper County Deputies, Missouri State Highway Patrol all responded to this section of the highway, closer to Fidelity Cloverleaf about 19 MM.

The male driver was extricated by Carthage firefighters then Mercy AMB transported him to the Joplin Stockyards where they were met with a medical helicopter. He was airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening-injuries.

We anticipate updates from Missouri State Highway Patrol, watch here on KOAM News Now, our Joplin News First tab.

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