NIXA, MO — A Springfield man died and two other motorists were injured Wednesday morning in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 160 in Christian County after a deer entered the roadway, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The crash happened about 7 a.m. one mile south of Nixa. Investigators said the 57-year-old was driving a 1971 Chevrolet K5 Blazer southbound when it hit the deer, crossed the centerline and collided with two northbound vehicles.

The patrol said the fatal crash involved a 2022 Chevrolet Trax and a 2023 Hino box truck. The driver of the Blazer was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:20 a.m.

How the Highway Patrol says the collision unfolded

According to the patrol, the southbound Blazer first struck the deer in the roadway. After that impact, the vehicle moved across the centerline and into the path of northbound traffic on Highway 160.

The first vehicle it hit was a 2022 Chevrolet Trax driven by a 24-year-old Highlandville woman. The second was a 2023 Hino box truck driven by a 28-year-old man from Ozark. Both were traveling north when the crash occurred.

The sequence left three vehicles damaged and shut down the area long enough for emergency responders and investigators to work the scene. The patrol identified the wreck as occurring in Troop D’s area of responsibility.

Victim and driver details released by investigators

The man who died was from Springfield, but the patrol did not release his name. Officials said he suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene later that morning.

The two other drivers were taken for medical care with minor injuries. The Highlandville woman was transported by private vehicle to Mercy Hospital, while the Ozark man was taken by private vehicle to Cox South.

Both surviving drivers were wearing seat belts, the patrol said. Investigators said the Springfield man was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Damage to the vehicles and how they were removed

The 1971 Chevrolet K5 Blazer was described as having extensive damage and was removed from the scene by Kenny’s Wrecker. The 2022 Chevrolet Trax also had minor damage and was towed by Kenny’s Wrecker.

The 2023 Hino box truck sustained extensive damage and was taken away by Henry’s Towing. The crash involved older and newer vehicles, but the patrol did not say whether speed, distraction or other factors played a role beyond the deer strike.

Officials also did not say whether any roadway hazards remained after the collision. The focus of the investigation, based on the patrol’s account, was the initial animal strike and the resulting loss of control.

A fatal crash in Troop D’s 2026 tally

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the wreck was Troop D’s 103rd fatal crash of 2026. That figure reflects the number of deadly crashes the troop has handled so far this year.

Troop D covers a large part of southwest Missouri, including the Christian County area where the crash occurred. The patrol routinely records these incidents as part of its traffic-accident response and statewide crash tracking.

The count underscores how quickly a routine morning drive can turn deadly when an animal enters a highway and vehicles are forced into oncoming traffic. In this case, the impact quickly escalated from a deer strike to a multi-vehicle collision with one death and two injuries.

Investigation led by Troop D officers

Trooper A. Daniels investigated the crash with assistance from Corporal J. Choate and Troopers J. Hood and T. Hackett of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The patrol did not report any arrests or citations tied to the collision. It also did not indicate that any additional agencies beyond the towing companies and patrol personnel were involved in the response.

For drivers on rural and suburban stretches of highway, deer crossings remain a persistent danger, especially around dawn and dusk. Wednesday’s crash near Nixa showed how one animal in the road can set off a chain reaction with severe consequences.