Willard woman dies in fatal crash on James River Freeway

A Willard woman is dead following an accident on James River Freeway in Springfield.

On Tuesday, June 2, police were notified at 1:23 p.m. of a motor vehicle crash in the westbound lanes of James River, just east of Campbell Avenue.

Leah Hyde, 24, was driving a 2015 Subaru Forester had hit the concrete median while driving and came to a stop in the inside lane. According to a release from the city of Springfield, Hyde then exited the vehicle only to be impacted and killed by a westbound 2017 Toyota Camry. The driver of the Camry attempted to avoid the Forester by driving around the left of it only to collide with Hyde. 

Hyde was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, and her family was notified. She was reportedly five months pregnant at the time of the accident. She leaves behind a husband. 

A GoFundMe has been started to help cover the costs of funeral and burial proceedings. Nearly 700 people have donated to the cause, totaling about $52,871, with a $60,000 goal as of June 8. 

The incident is still under investigation according to the release. Anyone with more information is encouraged to call the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810. To donate to the GoFundMe, navigate to www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-leah-hyde-lark-elizabeth.

This was the city of Springfield’s eighth fatal motor vehicle crash of 2026.