Wreck stalls bridge traffic for nearly hour

The Missouri River bridge on U.S. 54 in Jefferson City.
The Missouri River bridge on U.S. 54 in Jefferson City.

Missouri River bridge traffic was tied up for about 50 minutes after a St. Charles resident ran out of gas, triggering a three-vehicle wreck.

Two people had minor injuries.

The incident occurred at about 11:56 a.m. on the westbound lane of the bridge.

Jefferson City police said a Lincoln Town Car driven by Patricia A. Bratcher, 31, St. Charles, ran out of gas in the driving lane.

A GMC Envoy driven by Michael Williams, 48, Jefferson City, stopped suddenly and a Ford van driven by Theodore V. Cox, 34, Jefferson City, then struck the back of Williams' vehicle, pushing it into the center lane.

A ladder from the top of Cox's van slid off and struck the back of the Bratcher's vehicle. Williams and passenger Cherita D. Williams, 45, Jefferson City, were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Everyone involved wore seat belts, police said.

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