Pregnant 24-Year-Old Occupational Therapist Leah Hyde and Unborn Daughter Killed in Tragic James River Freeway Accident in Springfield, Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Ozarks community is mourning the profound loss of a dedicated pediatric occupational therapist and expectant mother who, along with her unborn daughter, was tragically killed in a two-vehicle incident on the West James River Expressway on Tuesday afternoon.

The Springfield Police Department reported that emergency crews responded at approximately 1:23 p.m. on June 2 to a crash in the westbound lanes of the 800 block of West James River Expressway, located just east of Campbell Avenue. According to traffic investigators, 24-year-old Leah Hyde of Willard was driving a 2015 Subaru Forester westbound in the inside lane when her vehicle struck the concrete median divider and came to a stop inside the far left lane.

Police officials stated that after the initial impact, Hyde exited the driver’s side of her SUV. She was then struck by a westbound 2017 Toyota Corolla driven by 25-year-old Sheri Jones of Niangua, who was attempting to steer around the stopped Subaru on the left side. Hyde sustained fatal injuries and was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

The heartbreaking news has deeply impacted residents across the region, where Hyde was widely celebrated for her vibrant personality and selflessness. A graduate of Marshfield Schools in 2020, Hyde pursued her passion for helping children by becoming an occupational therapist, serving students within local school districts including Mansfield and Monett. Longtime family friend Valerie Willis remembered Hyde as a caring soul who dedicated her life to helping children reach their fullest potential, noting how incredibly proud Hyde was to do this meaningful work. Other friends recalled her deeply compassionate bedside manner, noting she consistently went above and beyond to make both patients and their families feel heard and personally cared for.

Hyde married her husband, Josh Snodgrass, in November 2024. Earlier this year, the couple joyfully announced they were expecting their first child—a baby girl they named Lark Elizabeth. Family friend Bernadette Shively shared how incredibly excited Hyde was to become a mother, recalling recent, joyful conversations about the upcoming arrival of her daughter.

In the wake of the devastating double loss, an online memorial fundraiser has been established, and community members have rallied tightly around the grieving family by providing food, visits, and immense financial and emotional support. The Springfield Police Department’s traffic division continues to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the sequence of events on the expressway.