Two women lost their lives over the weekend when their minivan became airborne, collided with a sign, and flipped before finally landing on Highway 71 in Andrew County, north of St. Joseph (KCTV).
Emergency crews responded to reports of a single-vehicle collision at Highway 71 and 410th St. between Maryville and St. Joseph on Saturday, Aug. 24, around 10:15 a.m., according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
When the first responders arrived at the scene, they discovered Christie L. Petersen, a 70-year-old resident of Sheridan, behind the wheel of her 2006 Dodge Caravan. She had been traveling north on the highway when, for reasons unknown, she suddenly veered off the road to the right.
According to State Troopers, the minivan collided with an embankment, propelling it into the air. Upon descent, it struck a roadway sign, causing it to flip onto its top upon impact with the ground.
Emergency personnel confirmed that Petersen and her passenger, Kelly A. Taute, 47, from Merced, California, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Petersen had been wearing her seatbelt, while Taute had not.
No additional details have been made available.
