I-44 exit 8 ramp to Rangeline reopens to all traffic after fatal crash

UPDATE: The I-44 west exit 8 ramp to Rangeline has reopened to all traffic. Joplin Police identify driver in fatal crash as 51-year-old Oklahoma man .

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) — I-44 westbound exit onto Rangeline at Exit 8 remains closed since a fatal crash occurred Tuesday morning at 6:55 a.m.

“ Westbound I-44 exit ramp CLOSED at Range Line Road (Exit 8 ) in #Joplin 9 p.m., Wednesday August 28-3 a.m., Thursday, August 29. Contractor crews replacing guardrail on the ramp #MoDOTSW ”

— MoDOT SW

We observe crews assembling signage that will go over the highway after the crash destroyed the previous structure.

THE FATAL CRASH

6:55 a.m. Tuesday a tractor-trailer pulling tandems (two smaller box trailers) left the roadway to the right, taking out a significant amount of guardrail. Then the vehicle struck the north support for the signage that goes over the westbound lanes.

| KOAM RELATED >> Fatal I-44 crash at Joplin’s Rangeline exit 8

The driver was pronounced on the scene.

Initially the interstate was closed 6 1/2 hours until reopening to all westbound traffic however exit 8 remains closed TFN.

The crash remains an ongoing Joplin Police Major Crash Team investigation.