A two-vehicle accident on I-29 in Atchison County Sunday afternoon, June 28, 2020, left a St. Joseph, Missouri, man with serious injuries. The wreck occurred at 3:53 p.m. at the 108 mile-marker on southbound I-29 two miles south of Rock Port, Missouri. A 2014 Harley Davidson, driven by Douglas F. Collins, 39, of St. Joseph was heading southbound when a 2015 Chevrolet pickup, driven by Thomas E. McCrerey, 25, of Easton, Missouri, struck the motorcycle in the rear. The Harley Davidson traveled off the west side of the interstate and struck a mile-marker post, ejecting Collins. Both the Harley Davidson and Collins came to rest off the west side of the interstate.

Collins, who was wearing a helmet, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Atchison-Holt ambulance to Community Hospital-Fairfax in Fairfax, Missouri, and then life-flighted to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, by LifeNet. The Harley Davidson was totaled and towed from the scene by Double M Towing of Rock Port. The 2015 Chevy pickup sustained extensive damage and was towed by MC Auto of Mound City, Missouri.

The accident was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. M.R. Heits and Trooper T.B. Heintz, who were assisted by Lt. D.J. Hedrick, Sgt. C.B. Root, Trooper C.J. Blue, Trooper D.L. Hughes, Trooper R.A. Allee, Atchison County Sheriff’s Office, Holt County Sheriff’s Office, Mound City Police Department, Rock Port Police Department, and Rock Port Fire Department.

McCrerey was detained in Holt County on traffic charges of Driving While Intoxicated – Drugs – Prior Offender, Leaving The Scene Of An Accident – Physical Injury, and Careless And Imprudent Driving Causing An Accident and was released into the care of Mosaic Medical Center in St. Joseph.

Several motorists stopped at the scene to assist Collins, whose injuries were catastrophic. They should be commended for providing aid in Collins’ time of need.