Benton man taken by helicopter to St. Louis hospital after head-on collision

ORAN, Mo. -- A Benton, Mo., man was taken by helicopter to Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis on Wednesday afternoon following a head-on collision on a Highway 77 bridge.

The accident happened at 2:20 p.m., three-quarters of a mile north of Oran, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The collision happened when a work van driven by Robert C. Wren, 29, of Benton crossed the center line and struck another work van, driven by Joseph R. Leazenby, 31, of Marble Hill, Mo.

Wren, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, received serious injuries and was taken from the scene by helicopter. Leazenby had only minor injuries and refused medical treatment. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.