PHELPS COUNTY SERIOUS

A crash occurred this (Sunday) morning in Phelps County leaving a driver seriously injured. At 1:44 AM, on I-44 at the 192.2-mile marker west of St. James, 51-year-old Houston resident Stanley Smith and 52-year-old High Ridge resident Christopher Launders were both heading eastbound. The crash occurred when Smith stopped in the right lane. The front of Launder’s vehicle struck the rear of Smith. Smith traveled off of the left side of the roadway and struck the guard rail. Both were transported by St. James ambulance to Phelps Health. Smith, who was not wearing a safety device, sustained moderate injuries while Launders was seriously injured.