A fatal multi-vehicle accident occurred on westbound Interstate 70, east of 5th Street, on July 17, 2024, at approximately 10:44 a.m. The crash involved three vehicles: a 2023 Freightliner Cascadia, a 2020 Hyundai Venue, and a 2019 Chevrolet Equinox.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Hyundai Venue, driven by 42-year-old Amy Shirley from Wright City, Missouri, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a parked Freightliner Cascadia on the left shoulder. The Hyundai then returned to the roadway and collided with the Chevrolet Equinox, driven by 70-year-old Tava Eaton, also from Wright City, Missouri.
Amy Shirley was pronounced dead at the scene by St. Charles City Fire and EMS personnel at 10:54 a.m. She was transported by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office via Lonning Mortuary Services. The use of a seat belt by Shirley remains unknown.
The Freightliner Cascadia, driven by 36-year-old John Lyeva from Moore, Oklahoma, sustained minor damage and was towed by Terry’s Towing. Lyeva was wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident.
The Chevrolet Equinox sustained minor damage but was driven from the scene by its driver, Tava Eaton, who was also wearing a seat belt.
The accident was investigated by Trooper L. Carson, with assistance from Corporals J. Brown, M. Frigy, C. North, and Troopers C. Knox and N. Downs, alongside St. Charles City Fire and EMS.
