Two vehicles collided head-on about six miles north of Licking on Saturday afternoon as they attempted to avoid a collision, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
Cpl. Curtis Haden of the patrol said a westbound vehicle driven by Zachary C. Cantrell, 17, attempted to pass a slower moving vehicle on a hillcrest and met an eastbound vehicle operated by Kevin C. Cooper, 20, of Lenox. Both vehicles steered toward the south side of the road, where they collided.
Cantrell and a passenger, Robin L. Kinder, 18, both of Licking, were transported by ambulance with minor injuries. Cooper was flown from the scene to Cox South in Springfield with serious injuries.
Haden said Cantrell and Cooper were wearing seat belts, and Kinder was not.