St. Peters, MO — February 12, 2025, seven people were injured in a multi-vehicle accident at about 10:30 a.m. on westbound Interstate 70.

Authorities said five vehicles, including a box truck and a Republic garbage truck, were involved in a crash on the icy highway near Mid Rivers Mall Drive.

Seven people were hospitalized after the St. Charles County crash, according to authorities. Their injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

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

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Multi-vehicle crashes on icy highways often leave people wondering whether anyone is truly accountable or if the wreck was just an unavoidable consequence of bad weather. In my experience, however, blaming the ice alone is often an oversimplification. The real question isn’t just what happened, but who failed to adjust to conditions and whether this pileup could have been prevented.

One of the first things investigators should examine is how the crash began. Did one vehicle lose control and set off a chain reaction, or were multiple drivers following too closely for the conditions? On slick roads, stopping distances increase dramatically, and drivers — especially those operating large commercial vehicles — have a responsibility to slow down and leave extra space. Reviewing dashcam footage, traffic cameras and black box data from the trucks could help clarify whether excessive speed or following too closely played a role.

Another factor worth considering is whether road maintenance contributed to the crash. Was this section of I-70 properly treated with salt or sand? Were drivers encountering black ice that wasn’t visible? If poor road conditions played a role, authorities should determine whether highway maintenance crews had taken the necessary steps to keep the roadway safe.

It’s also important to examine whether either truck involved contributed to the crash. Large commercial vehicles take significantly longer to stop on icy roads, so investigators should determine whether these drivers were exercising proper caution. Were they maintaining safe speeds and distances, or did one of them lose control and worsen the pileup? The box truck and garbage truck's event data recorders (black boxes) could provide key insights into braking, speed and steering in the moments leading up to the wreck.

At this stage, it’s too soon to say exactly who — if anyone — is accountable. But if authorities stop at blaming the ice and don’t look deeper into driver behavior, road conditions and vehicle performance, they may miss key details that explain why this crash happened. A thorough investigation is necessary to determine whether this wreck was truly unavoidable or the result of preventable mistakes.