3 hurt in separate accidents

A Jackson, Mo., woman was seriously injured in a vehicle accident Wednesday west of Cape Girardeau, while two Jackson residents suffered moderate injuries in an accident Tuesday west of Fruitland, Mo.

Rachelle Jaco, 26, was taken to St. Francis Medical Center after the 4:40 a.m. accident Wednesday on Route K three miles west of Cape Girardeau.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Jaco's vehicle struck a guardrail and bridge abutment after she lost control. She was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to drive on the right half of the road and failure to wear a seat belt, the patrol said.

In Tuesday's accident, a Jackson school bus was rear-ended while dropping off a student along Highway 177.

The patrol said the bus driver, Mistye Sticht, 34, of Jackson, had stopped the bus to let off James Matthew, 15, and the bus was struck by a vehicle driven by Walter Earl, 51, of Jackson.

Earl, who was cited for following too closely, was taken by ambulance to Southeast Missouri Hospital.

Matthew and Sticht were driven by private vehicle to St. Francis Medical Center where they were treated and released.