Tractor-trailer causes 10-car collison, leaves Neosho man dead, 4 others injured

On Friday, May 12, at approximately 4:45 p.m. calls poured into the 911 switchboard reporting an accident on I-44 westbound at Mile Marker-43, just west of Mt. Vernon, involving a semi and numerous vehicles.
Upon arrival, officers and rescue crews found a horrific scene. In all, 10 vehicles were involved. Reports show that traffic was stopped in congested traffic when a 2016 Freightliner driven by Patrick J. Joiner, 53, of Jefferson, Ga., approached the traffic from the rear and struck a 2015 BMW driven by Rodger A. Alexander, 37, of Neosho, which began a chain reaction.
Swift’s car then hit a 2019 Freightliner driven by Stacy O. Pascal, 27, of Covington, Ga. After striking the BMW, Joiner continued westbound striking a 2021 Toyota Rav4 driven by Elizabeth A. Hailey, 40, of Springfield who as a result struck a 2013 Honda Civic driven by Stuart R. Jones, 58, of Wichita, Kan. Joiner’s Freightliner continued west striking a 2017 Kia Sorrento driven by Ernest C. Smith, 65, of Chicago Heights, Ill. causing Smith’s vehicle to strike a 2015 Toyota Prius driven by Andrew J. Rowell, 27, of Springfield. Joiner’s vehicle then struck a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country driven by Dana R. Kennard, 42, of DeSoto causing Kennard’s vehicle to strike a 2015 GMC Sierra driven by Jared M. Swift, 35, of Springfield who’s vehicle then struck a 2013 Chrysler 300 driven by Bryce A. Wimbish, 18, of Hobbs, N.M.
When the dust settled, Joiner had collided with a total of four vehicles sending them into the other stopped vehicles in their paths. Wimbish, Swift, and Kennard were all transported to Mercy Hospital in Joplin with minor injuries. Hailey was transported to Mercy Hospital in Joplin with moderate injuries, while Alexander was air lifted to Mercy Hospital in Springfield with fatal injuries. Alexander was pronounced at the hospital at approximately 7 p.m.
Pashal, Jones, Smith and Waimbish’s vehicles all sustained minor damage and were all able to be driven from the scene. The vehicles owned by Rowell, Swift and Kennard all sustained moderate damage and were towed.
Joiner’s Freightliner sustained extensive damage and was also towed. Alexander and Hailey’s vehicles were both totaled and towed from the scene.    Interstate-44 westbound was closed for several hours while crews handled cleanup of the scene. This is Troop D’s 35th fatality crash of 2023.