Tesia Ta, 34, of Springfield, died after being seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision at Kearney Street and Benton Avenue late Wednesday night, September 2, 2026, according to Springfield police.
Officers responded to the crash at approximately 10:48 p.m. Investigators said a 2013 Chevrolet Traverse was traveling eastbound on Kearney Street when its driver turned left into a business in the 400 block of East Kearney and crossed into the path of a westbound 2008 Mercedes-Benz. The two vehicles collided.
Tesia Ta was a passenger in the Chevrolet Traverse. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash, but she later died. The drivers of both vehicles were also taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. Springfield police said speeding and suspected impairment by the driver of the Mercedes-Benz are among the factors being investigated. Authorities have not announced a final determination regarding responsibility for the crash.
Tesia’s death has left family members, friends and others in the Springfield community grieving an unexpected loss. At 34, her life was cut short in a crash that unfolded in a matter of moments, leaving loved ones to confront the painful reality of her absence.
For those who knew Tesia, memories of the life she shared with family and friends will now take on a deeper significance. Sudden deaths often leave loved ones with little time to prepare for a goodbye, making the days following a tragedy especially difficult.
The fatal collision marked Springfield’s 12th fatal motor-vehicle crash of 2026, with 13 deaths reported in those crashes, according to police.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the collision to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810. Anonymous information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at 417-869-TIPS.
As the investigation continues, Tesia Ta’s family and loved ones are left to mourn a woman whose life ended unexpectedly and to hold on to the memories of the person she was beyond the circumstances of the crash.
