Highway 61 Crash Injured Four, Prompted Five Ambulance Response In Moscow Mills

MOSCOW MILLS, Mo. — A Sunday afternoon crash on northbound Highway 61 near Crossroads Boulevard injured four people and prompted a large emergency response that included five ambulances.

The June 21 crash sent three patients with serious injuries and one patient with minor injuries to area hospitals while drawing a response from multiple public safety agencies.

While motorists passing through the area saw the large number of emergency vehicles on scene, the response also highlighted the planning that goes into handling incidents involving multiple patients and ensuring ambulance coverage remains available for the rest of Lincoln County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 4:10 p.m. when a 2023 Chevrolet Equinox slowed and moved toward the Crossroads Boulevard exit ramp. A 2005 Dodge Dakota traveling in the adjacent lane struck the rear of the Equinox.

The crash left both vehicles heavily damaged and resulted in four people being transported from the scene.

A 78-year-old Troy man suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital St. Louis. A 72-year-old Troy woman also suffered serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

A 10-year-old Troy boy suffered serious injuries and was transported to St. Louis Children's Hospital.

A 65-year-old St. Peters man suffered minor injuries and was transported to SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital Lake Saint Louis.

Both vehicles were removed from the scene by Brian's Towing.

As emergency crews worked the crash, Lincoln CountyWatch reported that additional ambulances were being requested to the scene, eventually bringing the total number of ambulances requested to five.

Lincoln County Ambulance District Chief Administrator Ray Antonacci said incidents involving multiple patients require crews to begin thinking beyond the immediate scene and prepare for what could happen next.

Ray Antonacci, Chief Administrator of the Lincoln County Ambulance District, provided additional insight into the multi-ambulance response following the June 21 crash on Highway 61 near Crossroads Boulevard in Moscow Mills. (Picture from a previous interview)

In this case, five ambulances were initially requested as crews worked to assess patients and determine transportation needs. As the incident developed, only three ambulances were ultimately needed for patient transports, allowing the remaining units to return to service.

Antonacci said requesting additional resources early is intentional.

"It is better to have more resources enroute than not enough," Antonacci said.

Large incidents require emergency responders to balance the needs of patients on scene while also ensuring resources remain available if another emergency occurs elsewhere in the county.

If local ambulances become tied up on a major incident, Lincoln County Ambulance District can request assistance through mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies. Depending on where a call occurs, additional coverage can come from St. Charles County, Warren County, Pike County and other surrounding districts.

Antonacci said the district regularly trains for incidents involving multiple patients, severe weather events, active assailant situations and other large-scale emergencies.

"It is important for the citizens of Lincoln County to know that we have contingency plans," Antonacci said. "There are plans on top of plans."

Since expanding from five ambulances to seven, Antonacci said situations where no ambulances are immediately available have become far less common than in previous years.

While emergency crews worked to treat patients and clear the crash scene, another situation drew attention from community members.

Witnesses reported a small dog became separated from its family following the crash and was seen running near Highway 61. Several motorists stopped to help keep the animal away from traffic until family members were able to locate it.

The dog was later reunited with its owners.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the crash.

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