Northbound I-55 through south St. Louis turned into a standstill Wednesday morning after a deadly crash near Potomac Street left one person dead and shut down the highway during rush hour, sending frustrated drivers spilling onto nearby side streets.
What Happened
St. Louis police said the wreck happened at about 7:45 a.m. and left one person dead, according to KSDK. Officers warned drivers to steer clear of northbound I-55 near Potomac Street while first responders, crash investigators and tow crews worked the scene and cleared away damaged vehicles before reopening the lanes.
Traffic And Commute Impact
Missouri Department of Transportation traffic cameras and data showed delays stretching back toward Gasconade Avenue, and MoDOT listed heavy northbound congestion on the corridor. The closure turned the morning rush into a crawl, with city streets near the interstate slowing down as drivers bailed off the highway to find alternate routes. Officials cautioned that residual delays could linger even after all lanes reopened as investigators wrapped up their on-site work.
Investigation
Police had not released the victim's name or any details about what led up to the collision at the time of initial reports. Authorities are expected to provide further updates, including any requests for witnesses or formal statements, as the investigation continues, KSDK reports.
