In a startling incident that has shaken the local community, WNBA standout Sophie Cunningham was involved in a minor automobile accident early this morning on a foggy stretch of Route 63 near downtown Columbia. The 29-year-old Indiana Fever guard, a beloved hometown hero and University of Missouri alumna, escaped with only superficial injuries, but the close call has left fans and residents reeling
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene around 6:45 a.m., when Cunningham’s black SUV clipped a guardrail after hydroplaning on slick roads, exacerbated by overnight rain and early winter chill. “It was like a bad dream – the car fishtailed, sparks flew, but she pulled over quick,” said local barista Mia Reynolds, who stopped to assist. Emergency responders from Columbia Fire Department arrived within minutes, confirming no serious harm. Cunningham, sporting a light scrape on her arm and a bruised ego, declined transport to Boone Hospital Center, opting instead for a precautionary check-up at her family’s nearby farm.
Born and raised in Columbia, Cunningham’s roots run deep here. The all-time leading scorer for Mizzou women’s basketball (2,187 points), she was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame earlier this year. Traded to the Fever from Phoenix in the offseason, her 2025 campaign was derailed by a season-ending MCL tear in August, but she’s been a fixture at community events, signing autographs and hosting youth clinics. This accident – mere weeks after her emotional return to the court sidelines – underscores the vulnerabilities even stars face off the hardwood.
Social media erupted with support. “Sophie, you’re tougher than any defender! Heal up, Columbia’s got your back,” tweeted Fever teammate Caitlin Clark. The WNBA Players Association issued a statement praising her resilience, while local police urged caution amid worsening weather.
Cunningham, ever the fighter, posted a quick update on X: “Bump in the road, literally. Grateful for second chances and Mizzou strong. Back hooping soon! #TigerPride.” As investigations wrap up, the city breathes a collective sigh of relief – a reminder that heroes, too, navigate life’s unexpected turns
