A three-vehicle Wednesday afternoon crash on I-44 east of St. Robert seriously injured a Dixon man, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports. Troopers reported that Bradley D. Poole, 28, of Waynesville, was driving eastbound at 1:45 p.m. at mile marker 164.4 when his 2020 Ram van struck the rear of a 2008 Ford Focus driven by Sara M. Arteaga, 29, of St. Robert, causing her car to strike the rear of a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Amanda L. Jennings, 32, of Buffalo.

The crash totaled Arteaga's car and moderately damaged Poole's Ram, both of which were towed by Jacks Wrecker and Recovery. Jennings' vehicle had minor damage and she was able to drive it from the scene.

Neither Arteaga nor Jennings were hurt and Poole had only minor injuries and said he would seek his own treatment. All were wearing their seat belts.

However, Poole's passenger, Benny Gates, 49, of Dixon, suffered serious injuries and was transported by Pulaski County Ambulance District personnel to Phelps Health in Rolla. Troopers reported it was unknown whether Gates had been wearing his seatbelt.