ST. LOUIS — Freezing rain at morning rush hour caused numerous car accidents around the St. Louis area, including one 31-vehicle pileup near downtown.
Only about 0.10-inch of freezing rain fell over an hour-and-a-half period starting around 4 a.m. Tuesday, but it was enough to cause extremely slick spots, especially on bridges, overpasses and ramps, just as the morning commute was under way.
The worst accident was on Interstate 64 near downtown St. Louis and involved 31 vehicles, including three tractor-trailers and five emergency vehicles responding to the wreck — two fire department vehicles and three ambulances.
Twenty-one people were hurt. Police spokesman Michelle Robertson says one victim is in critical condition, the other 20 have minor injuries.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported at least 60 wrecks in the region.
