HEAD-ON ACCIDENT KILLS PB WOMAN

POPLAR BLUFF -- A Poplar Bluff woman was killed and three of her granddaughters seriously injured Sunday in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 142.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Arie Ellis, 71, was killed when her vehicle was struck head on by a pickup truck that had crossed the center line. Three passengers in her car, granddaughters Tasheka Dudley, 11, Breanna Ellis, 1, and Felecia Ellis, 3, all of Poplar Bluff, were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries.

The driver of the pickup truck, Timothy Capper, 24, of Poplar Bluff, and a passenger, Daniel Reed, 24, also of Poplar Bluff, were also seriously injured, police said.

The accident occurred at 5:34 p.m. at the Poplar Bluff city limits as Ellis's vehicle was traveling north on Highway 142 and Capper's truck was going south.

Arie Ellis was wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred, police said.

Highway Patrol Troop E headquarters reported that its officers has already worked 34 fatal accidents this year. This was also the 400th fatality on Missouri's roads this year.