3 dead, 5 injured after crash on I-55 south of Festus

FESTUS, Mo. -- Three people are dead and several others were left injured in a multi-vehicle crash that shut down Interstate 55 in both directions south of Festus on Sunday.

A crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) confirms the crash occurred shortly before 3:30 p.m. on northbound I-55, involving eight vehicles. Investigators said three people died and five others were injured.

According to MSHP, the crash happened after the driver of a tractor trailer became inattentive of slow moving traffic on I-55, leading to the vehicle to strike the backend of a Toyota Camry, MSHP said.

The impact of the collision caused a set of crashes on I-55 as the crash forced the Toyota Camry to strike the backend of a Nissan Pathfinder, which then went on to strike the backend of a Kia Optima.

The pileup continued as the Kia would collide with the back of a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, which then went on to strike the back of a GMC 1500, MSHP said.

After the GMC was struck, MSHP says the vehicle was pushed forward and struck the backend of a Toyota Corolla before rotating and striking the backend of a Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Three people were pronounced dead after the crash, including the driver and passenger of the Toyota Camry, a 63-year-old man and woman both from Memphis, TN., and the driver of the Kia Optima, a 53-year-old woman from Pevely.

The crash left five people injured after the crash. Two people sustained serious injuries, two suffered from moderate injuries, and one was left with minor injuries.

Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-55 were closed for an extended period of time as troopers worked to clear the scene. Lanes of traffic have now started to open up.

Highway Patrol officials said traffic was being diverted to U.S. 61.