Three injured in four-vehicle crash on I-44 near Springfield

Three people were injured in a four-vehicle accident 7:27 a.m. today on I-44, one mile east of Springfield.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2009 Volkswagen EOS driven by Sheri L. Cooper, 54, Battlefield, attempted to avoid an unknown vehicle that was attempting to merge onto the interstate. A 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Shirley A. Moots, 69, Springfield, attempted to avoid the Cooper vehicle, causing a 2015 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Michael P. Gruhlie, 42, North Las Vegas, Nevada, to hit the Moots vehicle, causing the Cooper and Moots vehicles to strike a 2017 Chevrolet van driven by Mary L. Bridges, 60, Bois D' Arc.

Moots and a passenger in her vehicle, Terrance W. Moots, 69, Springfield, were treated for minor injuries at Mercy Hospital, Springfield.

Cooper was treated for minor injuries at Cox Urgent Care.