Boone County, MO — June 57, 2025, Two people were injured following a car accident that occurred at around 2:12 P.M. on MO-763.

According to reports, a Buick Enclave was traveling north on MO-763 near Prathersville Road when it attempted to make a U-turn and was struck by a Ford Fusion.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that one passenger from each vehicle sustained serious injuries and transported them to the hospital for treatment. The drivers from both vehicles suffered minor injuries and refused medical transport. This is an ongoing investigation.

Commentary

When a vehicle attempts a U-turn on a busy highway and is struck by oncoming traffic, the situation raises immediate concerns about decision-making, vehicle visibility, and system response. But just as important is understanding whether the vehicles involved gave their drivers the support they needed to avoid the crash—or failed to.

1. Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash?
Any crash involving a U-turn across active lanes should be examined with full scene mapping and a review of timing, distance, and driver actions. Investigators need to determine how long the Buick was in the lane before impact, whether the turn was completed or still underway, and if the Ford had a clear line of sight. These details matter—not just for assigning responsibility, but for understanding whether either driver had a real opportunity to avoid the collision.

2. Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect contributed to the crash?
If either vehicle experienced a delay in acceleration, braking, or steering response, that could have played a critical role. Mechanical issues like throttle lag, poor visibility due to sensor failure, or non-functioning driver aids like blind spot detection should be ruled out. In particular, U-turns require sharp steering and quick movement—any failure in those systems could leave a vehicle vulnerable in a high-risk position.

3. Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?
Both vehicles likely contain pre-crash data that would shed light on speed, throttle, brake use, and steering inputs. This data can confirm whether the Buick hesitated or stalled mid-turn, and whether the Ford driver had time to respond. It also helps determine if any collision avoidance systems were triggered. Without reviewing this data, critical context may be lost.

Two vehicles crossing paths during a U-turn is a known hazard. But whether that hazard turned into a crash because of human error, mechanical failure, or a combination of both is a question only a full investigation can answer.

Takeaways:

• U-turn collisions should be analyzed for timing, visibility, and opportunity to avoid.
• Steering, acceleration, or driver assistance system issues must be ruled out.
• Pre-crash data helps clarify actions taken by both drivers and vehicle responses.