OSAGE COUNTY, MO. -- Update: Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 1:00 p.m.:
The Highway Patrol says alcohol will not be listed as a contributing factor to a fatal weekend crash.
Sgt. Paul Reinsch spoke on behalf of the trooper who responded to the wreck. On Tuesday, he said the officer is still investigating the wreck, but based on the information at this time, including interviews with those in the vehicle, alcohol will not be listed in the report.
Loretta Thompson, 42, of Fulton, died over the weekend because of the crash. Highway Patrol troopers say she crossed the center line and hit another vehicle head on. The crash happened Saturday on Highway 63 near Route T in Osage County.
Seven other people went to the hospital, including Kraig Walker. He was driving the vehicle Thompson hit head on. As of Monday afternoon he was in serious condition.
A crash survivor who was riding in Walker’s car said the memories of that day will be hard to live with.
"We were told by numerous people we're lucky to be alive and lucky that anybody walked away from it,” Chris Welch described. “I'm very thankful to God that I have a second chance. I pray for both parties you know.”
Welch said Walker will be in the hospital for months and it could be years before he’ll walk again.
Update:
The Missouri Highway Patrol confirms Loretta Thompson, 42 of Fulton died this afternoon at the scene of the accident.
Two other people in Thompson's minivan were transported to University Hospital with serious injuries.
Nine-year old Mariah Buchholz was ejected from the van.
A two-year old was not injured in the crash.
Five other people in the sedan were transported to area hospitals, some had serious injuries.
The patrol said the van which Thompson was driving crossed the center line and hit the Pontiac head on.
Original story:
At least one person is dead after a car crash on Highway 63 in Osage County.
Highway 63 north and southbound at Route T are both closed and might be for quite some time causing traffic to back up for miles.
A minivan and white 4-door Pontiac Grand Am are involved in the accident and more than 6 people are injured.
Witnesses said the van was swerving as it was going northbound on Highway 63 and it hit the Grand Am head on ejecting one of the van's passengers.
We have a reporter on the scene and will bring you more information as it becomes available.