Lincoln County, MO — May 1, 2025, One person was killed and three were injured following a car accident at around 4:40 P.M. on Highway K.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead and injured three others during the afternoon hours of May 1st. According to official reports, a Hyundai Sonata was traveling on Highway K in the eastbound lanes, when for unknown reasons the vehicle failed to stop at the intersection with US 61 and collided with a Chevy Malibu.

After the impact the Hyundai overturned and struck two other vehicles traveling in the northbound lanes of US 61, and when first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the Hyundai driver was fatally injured and pronounced deceased, and three others sustained serious injuries and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the identities of those involved or the status of the motorist's injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a vehicle fails to stop at a major intersection and causes a multi-vehicle crash—particularly one involving a fatality and multiple serious injuries—the circumstances demand a comprehensive investigation into every contributing factor. The May 1st crash at the intersection of Highway K and US 61, which involved the Hyundai Sonata overturning and striking additional vehicles, highlights the complexity and severity of high-speed intersection collisions. To determine what happened and whether the outcome could have been avoided, investigators must begin by addressing three critical questions.

First, has the intersection and crash scene been thoroughly analyzed to reconstruct the sequence of events? Intersections involving high-speed traffic, like US 61, present added risk when traffic control measures are missed. Investigators should evaluate whether the Hyundai approached a clearly marked stop sign or signal, whether visibility of those controls was obstructed, and how the traffic was flowing at the time of the crash. The layout of the intersection, any existing signage or warning systems, and the angle and force of the initial and secondary impacts are all essential to understanding how the crash unfolded.

Second, has the possibility of a mechanical failure or system malfunction in the Hyundai been considered? A failure to stop could indicate issues with the braking system, steering components, or electronic stability control—especially if the driver made an attempt to stop or swerve but the vehicle did not respond as intended. In a rollover crash, it is also critical to assess how the vehicle’s safety systems, such as seatbelts, airbags, and crash energy management structures, performed and whether any system deficiencies contributed to the severity of injuries.

Third, has electronic data from all involved vehicles been retrieved and analyzed? The Hyundai Sonata, Chevy Malibu, and the other two impacted vehicles likely contain electronic control modules (ECMs) that store pre-crash data including speed, braking effort, throttle position, and steering input. This data can help confirm whether the Hyundai driver attempted to stop or take evasive action and how the vehicle behaved in response. Dash camera footage, traffic cameras, or surveillance from nearby businesses may also provide key visual evidence to support the digital data.

When a single failure—such as not stopping at an intersection—results in a rollover and multi-vehicle collision with a fatality, the investigation must go beyond the apparent facts. These three questions—centered on scene reconstruction, mechanical integrity, and electronic data—are the foundation for understanding how the crash occurred and whether anything could have been done to prevent it. Only by addressing each can a clear, fact-based account emerge that offers answers to those directly affected and helps inform future roadway safety efforts.