A Wentzville mother is in critical condition and facing what her family calls an uphill fight after a two-vehicle crash on US-61 at North Point Prairie Road on Wednesday. She was about 21 weeks pregnant at the time of the collision and lost her unborn child after surgeons performed an emergency C-section, according to family members. Her two-year-old son was in the vehicle but was not seriously hurt, and neighbors along with strangers have quickly mobilized with online fundraisers and a planned benefit to help cover mounting medical bills and what is expected to be a long recovery.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened at about 4:40 p.m. on southbound US-61 at North Point Prairie Road, and multiple people from both vehicles were taken by St. Charles County ambulances to Mercy and other area hospitals. Troopers say the collision occurred when a vehicle entered the highway and was struck in the intersection, and they continue to investigate how the wreck unfolded.
The woman's partner, Mason Washington, shared the family's account and updates on her condition with First Alert 4. He said he first learned something was wrong when a crash-detection alert went off on his partner's phone. Washington told the station that Riley Washington suffered broken bones and internal injuries and that doctors performed an emergency C-section, while their two-year-old son was not injured. First Alert 4 also reports that MoDOT has told the station this intersection is included in a roughly $40 million improvement project slated for 2028. In the meantime, a GoFundMe has been set up to support Riley's recovery, and a bingo-night fundraiser is scheduled for Aug. 4 to help the family.
Why The Crossing Is On Planners' Radar
The section of North Point Prairie Road where the crash occurred has been under the microscope for some time as traffic in the area has grown. Wentzville describes a concept study that flagged visibility problems at the crossing and laid out possible safety upgrades, including added turn lanes and full reconstruction options that could guide future work. Local residents and officials have been pressing for improvements along the US-61 corridor, raising concerns about speed, sight lines and the volume of traffic moving through the area.
Troopers are asking anyone who saw the crash or has additional information to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol as the investigation continues. The First Alert 4 report includes more details on the family's fundraising efforts and the Aug. 4 bingo-night benefit, and organizers say every donation will go directly toward Riley's recovery and related expenses.
