Lincoln County, MO — February 2, 2026, two people were injured in a truck accident at about 6:20 p.m. on U.S. Route 61/Avenue of the Saints.

Authorities said a northbound 2004 International semi-truck collided with a 2026 Kia Sportage while trying to pass it near Creech Lane.

The Kia driver, a 33-year-old man from Waterloo, IA, and a passenger, a 32-year-old woman, suffered moderate injuries in the crash, according to authorities. A 7-year-old boy suffered minor injuries.

The truck driver was not injured, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lincoln County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When people read about a crash like this, the first questions are simple and fair: How did this happen? And was this avoidable? When a semi-truck collides with a smaller vehicle while trying to pass, those questions become even more important because passing is a deliberate choice, not an accident by itself.

Here, authorities say the semi-truck was attempting to pass the Kia when the collision occurred. What’s missing is the part that actually explains responsibility. It’s not clear whether the Kia changed speed or position, whether the truck misjudged the distance or whether the truck crossed into the Kia’s lane during the pass. Without those answers, we don’t yet know what caused this crash.

That’s why surface-level reports rarely tell the full story. A proper truck crash investigation looks beyond the basic narrative and asks what the truck and driver were doing in the moments before impact. For example, what does the truck’s engine control module show about speed, throttle use and braking? Did the driver accelerate aggressively to complete the pass? Did the truck drift or overcorrect? Those details matter, especially on a highway where passing requires precision and patience.

There are also unanswered questions about visibility and timing. Was traffic approaching from the opposite direction? Was the pass attempted too late or in a restricted area? Depending on where the vehicles were positioned and how long the pass took, very different conclusions can be drawn about fault.

I’ve seen many cases where the initial explanation sounded straightforward, only to change once the data was reviewed. Dash cameras, ECM data and even the truck driver’s prior driving history can reveal whether this was a momentary misjudgment or part of a larger pattern. Until that evidence is examined, blaming anyone with certainty is premature.

What matters most is getting clear, objective answers. That’s how responsibility is determined; not by assumptions, but by evidence.

Key Takeaways

• A collision during a passing maneuver raises serious questions about judgment and timing.
• We don’t yet know whether the truck crossed lanes, misjudged distance or reacted too late.
• Engine control module data can clarify speed, acceleration and braking before impact.
• Dash cameras and scene evidence often tell a different story than early reports.
• Accountability only comes after all available evidence is fully examined.