Phelps County, MO — February 1, 2026, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 5:50 p.m. on Interstate 44/U.S. Route 66 near Jerome.

Authorities said an eastbound semi-truck hauling plastic wrap overturned and caught fire after crashing into bridge pillars at exit 172.

The driver, a 49-year-old New Orleans man who had to be extricated from the wreckage, was flown to an area trauma center with serious injuries, according to authorities.

The bridge was not damaged in the crash, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Phelps County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read about a semi-truck overturning and catching fire, the first questions are simple: How does a truck end up hitting bridge pillars? Was this something that could have been prevented? Are we getting the full picture yet? Right now, those questions are still wide open.

According to authorities, this crash happened when an eastbound semi-truck hauling plastic wrap overturned and struck bridge pillars near exit 172 on I-44. But that description skips over the most important issue: what caused the truck to lose control in the first place. Trucks don’t just overturn and veer into fixed objects without a reason, and until that reason is identified, responsibility remains an open question.

It’s not clear whether the truck was traveling too fast, whether the driver took evasive action or whether something went wrong with the truck itself. We also don’t yet know if the load of plastic wrap shifted, which can dramatically affect a truck’s stability, especially during braking or lane changes. Depending on how that cargo was loaded and secured, different questions arise about who may share responsibility.

An investigation like this should start with objective evidence. The truck’s engine control module, the so-called black box, can show speed, braking and steering inputs before the crash. If the truck was equipped with inward- or outward-facing cameras, those recordings could explain what the driver was reacting to. Cell phone records may also matter, but only evidence can answer that, not assumptions.

Beyond the driver, it’s also worth asking about the trucking company’s role. Was the driver properly trained for hauling this type of load? Were there company policies that pushed speed or schedules? Was the cargo loaded by a third party, and if so, did they follow proper procedures? In my experience, crashes like this often involve more than one bad decision, made by more than one party.

The fact that the bridge was not damaged doesn’t change the seriousness of what happened. A truck overturning, catching fire and requiring extrication tells me this was a violent event. The investigation needs to focus on why it happened, not just what happened, because that’s the only way accountability is determined.

Key Takeaways

• A truck overturning into bridge pillars raises unanswered questions about speed, control and cargo stability.
• We don’t yet know whether driver actions, mechanical issues or load shift played a role.
• Black box data, cameras and phone records are critical to understanding what happened.
• Responsibility may extend beyond the driver to the trucking company or cargo handlers.