Charleston police officer out of the hospital following crash involving semi on I-57

A police officer in Charleston is out of the hospital after getting rear ended by a semi truck last night.
Published: Feb. 1, 2023 at 3:56 AM CST|Updated: Feb. 1, 2023 at 6:18 PM CST

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - Stay home and off of roadways, if possible. First responders are making this plea as roads remain ice-covered in most of southeast Missouri.

This is especially the case in Mississippi County, where a crash on Interstate 57 seriously injured a Charleston Police officer.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, a semi traveling too fast for conditions failed to yield to the lights of the Charleston officer’s patrol car and crashed into the rear of the car.

This happened on I-57 northbound at the 14.2 mile marker around 7:18 p.m. Tuesday, January 31.

The officer, 32-year-old Joshua A. Maldonado, was flown to a Cape Girardeau hospital with serious injuries.

According to Charleston DPS on Wednesday afternoon, the officer was treated and released.

The semi driver, from Memphis, Tennessee, was reportedly not hurt in the crash.

Maldonado’s squad was totaled and the semi has extensive damage. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

I-57 was shutdown for some time as crews responded to this crash.

The Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office said I-57 is open to traffic, but urges drivers not to travel.

I-57 remains extremely slick.

The sheriff’s office said crews have been responding to slide-offs all night and early Wednesday morning.