A stretch of U.S. Highway 54 near Curryville turned deadly Monday evening when a two-vehicle crash killed a 17-year-old Vandalia girl and left two other Vandalia residents injured. Emergency crews shut down the highway as air and ground medical teams worked the scene.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the collision happened around 6:10 p.m. A westbound 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by a 22-year-old Vandalia man lost control, crossed the center line and was hit on the passenger side by an eastbound 2015 Cadillac XTS driven by a 39-year-old Vandalia man. The 17-year-old passenger in the PT Cruiser was flown by Air Evac to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and was pronounced dead at 8:46 p.m. The 22-year-old driver was airlifted to University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries, while the Cadillac driver suffered minor injuries and was taken to Pike County Memorial Hospital.
Crash details
The patrol’s report states the PT Cruiser driver "overcorrected to the left," lost control and "crossed the centerline" before the passenger side was struck, a chain of events investigators say left the 17-year-old critically injured. The crash location is listed as U.S. 54 east of Pike-458, roughly one mile west of Curryville. The Missouri State Highway Patrol report also documents how each person was transported from the scene.
Injuries and safety
Local station coverage reported that both the 22-year-old driver and the 17-year-old passenger in the PT Cruiser were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, while the Cadillac driver was belted. KMOV reports the crash remains under investigation and authorities have not yet released the names of those involved.
Why It Matters
Missouri’s roads see a steady stream of crashes involving young drivers, and troopers and safety experts alike keep coming back to the same point: seat belts matter. According to CDC data, more than half of teens who died in crashes in 2021 were not buckled up, a sobering reminder that restraint use can be the difference between life and death.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact Troop C. This incident was reported by KSDK and followed by area outlets.
