LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. — Three teenagers and a woman are dead after a crash late Saturday in Lincoln County.
According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the crash happened shortly before 11:45 p.m. on Highway 79, south of Route C near Old Monroe, Missouri.
A Chevrolet Impala, driven by a 16-year-old girl from Wright City, Missouri, was moving south on Highway 79 when it crossed the center line to pass another vehicle. As it moved into the northbound lanes to pass the vehicle, a Hyundai Elantra struck the Impala head-on.
Both vehicles spun out after the impact and ended up off the east side of the road.
Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Dallas Thompson said Sunday the Impala caught fire and was partially burned when investigators arrived on scene.
Dangerous, destructive and deadly are all names Jeana Holland, who lives near the crash site, would give to this road instead of its real name Highway 79.
"For the three years I've lived here, 79 is a dangerous road, but it is definitely the most dangerous road at night," Holland said.
Holland heard the crash happen and even saw the aftermath across the field that separates their home and this hazardous highway.
"I kind of heard some screeching of some tires. And then I heard a boom. We could see the helicopter landing and taking off from here. I could see emergency lights and some smoke going up," Holland said.
The 16-year-old girl driving the Impala, along with a 15-year-old girl and 16-year-old girl, both from O'Fallon, Missouri, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Holland's mom, Cheryl, said they constantly see crashes happening around this curve on 79.
"It's very sad. I cried for these people. I don't know these people, but I cried for them and their families," Cheryl said.
The family says at night the headlights give the illusion the other cars are coming straight for you as you drive around the dangerous curve which has a 60-mile-an-hour speed limit.
"They will come flying because it's a straightaway not realizing this curve is down here either way," Cheryl said.
The girls' names were not released.
The driver of the Elantra also died in the crash. She was identified as 23-year-old Racheal Neldon, from Elsberry, Missouri.
The only survivor of the crash, an 18-year-old man from Wright City, had serious injuries and was transported by ARCH Air Medical helicopter to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.
There was no update on his condition as of Sunday afternoon.
The Holland family said they’re hoping lights and signs can be put up on Highway 79 to get people to slow down around the curve near Old Monroe.
Both vehicles were totaled in the crash and the investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update information as it is confirmed.
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