OAK GROVE, MISSOURI — A multi-vehicle crash involving two tractor-trailers — one hauling cattle — shut down both directions of Interstate 70 east of the Oak Grove exit on Wednesday morning, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 10:10 a.m. in the westbound lanes. Troopers say one tractor-trailer struck another, causing the cattle hauler to veer off the interstate and hit the median cables, while the second truck left the roadway to the right. Neither driver was injured, but the impact caused 13 cattle to escape, with some of them injured.

^{Photo credit: MoDOT Kansas City}

The Missouri Department of Transportation closed westbound I-70 at Oak Grove and eastbound I-70 at Grain Valley as crews worked to secure the scene and locate the loose livestock. Traffic camera data showed miles-long backups in both directions as drivers were forced onto detours.

By 3 p.m., all lanes had reopened after nearly five hours of closures, but officials said several cattle were still unaccounted for. As of 8:15 p.m., the Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed all escaped cattle had been located. The crash remains under investigation.

According to MSHP, authorities urged anyone who spotted loose cattle during the search to call 911.

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