Chain-reaction crash injures one, ties up morning traffic

Eastbound U.S. 50 blocked for an hour

One person was hurt in a five-vehicle crash Thursday morning in Jefferson City.

Police reports show the crash occurred around 7:27 a.m. in the eastbound lanes in the 1300 block of U.S. 50 West.

A vehicle driven by Hope Smith, 22, of Jefferson City, failed to stop for traffic ahead and that initiated a chain-reaction crash involving four other vehicles.

One driver, Lauren Ketter, 31, Jefferson City, was seriously injured and taken to a Columbia hospital for treatment.

The initial investigation indicates all occupants were wearing their seatbelts.

The highway was blocked for approximately one hour to clear vehicles and debris associated with the crash. Four of the five vehicles were towed, and the highway was reduced to one lane while the crash scene was cleared.