Two persons were killed Monday in an accident north of Summersville that closed Highway 17 for several hours.
Dead are Patsy L. Hebert, 62, of Summersville; and McKenzie Batchelor, 9, of Houston.
The crash — about four miles north of Summersville — sent emergency personnel to the crash site at about 1:15 p.m.
Sgt. Dale Pounds, who led the investigation that involved 10 Missouri State Highway Patrol officers — said a 1999 Ford Explorer was southbound pulling a trailer loaded with a salvage truck. The driver was Hebert.
A patrol spokesperson said witnesses stated the vehicle began to fishtail, causing the vehicle to lose control and cross the centerline into the path of a northbound 2004 Freightliner tractor-trailer rig loaded with lumber that was driven by Jason P. Williams, 36, of Summersville.
The lumber truck travelled off the right side of the roadway and spilled its load across the highway. The SUV came to rest in the southbound lane.
Herbert and the girl, who weren’t wearing seat belts, were ejected during impact. Texas County Coroner Tom Whittaker pronounced them dead at the scene.
Two passengers in the Explorer were injured: Lacacia G. Bachelor, 10, of Houston, had serious injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was still in the wreckage and was wearing a seatbelt when rescue workers arrived. Michael A. Hebert, 36, had serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. He wasn’t wearing a seat belt.
Pounds said the truck driver was not injured. Both vehicles were totaled.
Fire departments from several areas were called to help divert traffic around the crash site. Houston, Raymondville, Summersville and Clear Springs were dispatched. Summersville and Clear Springs left the scene at 7:35 p.m.