The Houghtons are very lucky after surviving a wreck that ripped apart their car. (Trevor Houghton Facebook Photo)

Two Tarkio residents were injured Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in a collision with a semi trailer at the Hwy. 136 overpass over 1-29 in Rock Port, Missouri. The crash occurred as a 2013 Peterbilt, driven by Bryce J. Stuchlik, 39, of Wahoo, Nebraska, crossed both lanes of traffic as it turned onto Hwy. 136 from I-29 northbound. A 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Darwin C. Houghton, 72, of Tarkio, heading eastbound on Hwy. 136 struck the towed unit of the Peterbilt (carrying an i-beam on an oversized load) on the driver’s side. The Peterbilt came to rest blocking both lanes of Hwy. 136 facing west. The Equinox came to rest under the towed unit of the Peterbilt, facing east.

Darwin Houghton, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Atchison-Holt ambulance to Community Hospital-Fairfax in Fairfax, Missouri, and was then transported by air ambulance to University of Nebraska Medical Center. A passenger, Georgia M. Houghton, 70, wife of Darwin, who was also wearing a seat belt, suffered minor injuries and was transported by Atchison-Holt ambulance to Community Hospital-Fairfax.

The accident was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper S.S. Base, who was assisted by Trooper V.P. Wiley, CVO M.A. McCartney, CVO J.W. Rhoades, Atchison County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Port Police Department, and Atchison-Holt Ambulance District.