A Boonville man is dead after a Friday afternoon crash on heavily-congested I-70 in Columbia.

CPD investigators say the crash happened when 84-year-old Wayne Simmons of Boonville slowed for heavy traffic ahead in the driving lane of westbound I-70 near the 123-mile marker. Columbia Police say 30-year-old Ruzana Tadzhibayev’s vehicle then struck the back the Simmons’ Hyundai, causing both vehicles to leave the roadway.

Mr. Simmons was pronounced dead at a Columbia hospital. CPD’s investigation into the crash continues.

Traffic was heavy due to construction on the I-70 Rocheport bridge project.