Condition of MU professor involved in eight-vehicle crash improves

The condition of a Columbia woman involved in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 70 was upgraded Friday afternoon from fair to good.

Zoe Smith, 53, a photojournalism professor in MU's School of Journalism, was among those injured Thursday evening in an eight-vehicle accident on I-70 that killed four Kansas City residents.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred about 5:40 p.m. in eastern Callaway County when a tractor trailer failed to slow for traffic that was backed up from an earlier accident.

The semitrailer, driven by George Albright, 61, of Clarksville, Tenn., collided with a car driven by Beverly Garrett, 57, of Kansas City. The semitrailer then careened into six others, crossed the median and westbound lanes and came to rest on an embankment.

Garrett was pronounced dead at University Hospital. The other Kansas City residents in her car, 55-year-old Anita Gibbs, 94-year-old Beulah Hunter and 81-year-old Eloise Jeans, were pronounced dead at the scene. Four others, including Smith, were injured.

The cars had slowed while officials removed a vehicle from the median in a separate accident about two miles ahead, according to the patrol.

Officials on Friday said an investigation was ongoing, but would not comment on whether charges will be filed.

— The Missourian staff and The Associated Press