Strafford, MO : Driver killed in tractor-trailer crash near Strafford Thursday morning, February 16, 2017

One driver is dead after a string of serious crashes on I-44.

One crash shutdown part of I-44 for hours near Strafford Thursday morning.

"You got different emergency crews flying around, then back at northview they had us going one way, then they had everyone turn around," said one driver. "They're making people get off then they're having people get off at another exit."

"We're about an hour and a half behind schedule right now," said another driver.

Highway patrol officers say traffic was backed up because of what all started near the Strafford exit. Three cars got into a crash, that then triggered a second crash involving three semi trucks, one flipped on to a pick up truck. it's unclear how many were hurt, but officers say at least one died."

The pile up now adding to a troubling trend. The National Safety Council says more than 40,000 people died in highway crashes last year, the highest in a decade. The group says it's because more drivers are on the road, and state troopers say not everyone is paying attention.

"Signage was out everything was in place alerting traffic of congestion ahead, apparently the tractor trailer driver approached the congestion," said Jason Pace of the Missouri Highway Patrol.

It's the reason they say the semis crashed and fell on top of the pick up.

And after seeing it drivers are thankful they only had to wait.

"Always wanna kiss your loved ones good bye before you leave the house everyday cause anything can happen," said one driver.

Source :
Driver killed in tractor-trailer crash near Strafford