Head-on collision sends two to hospital

A two-car accident in the 1900 block of Big Bend Road sent two Cape Girardeau drivers to a local hospital Wednesday afternoon with serious injuries.

Ronnie Swoboda, 33, was driving a 1987 Nissan northbound on the roadway and crossed into the lane of an oncoming 1993 Chevrolet driven by 34-year-old LeDonna Cavaness, said patrolman Jason Selzer.

The two cars collided head on and both vehicles ended up on either side of the road. Traffic was shut down by police after the incident brought out more than a dozen emergency responders to the scene.

Swoboda was ejected from the Nissan and had multiple injuries to his face and body. He drifted in and out of consciousness and was incoherent in his speech, according to responders.

Cavaness had to be extricated from her Chevrolet by emergency workers. Both victims were still listed in critical condition, but their injuries were no longer considered life-threatening as of Wednesday afternoon, Selzer said.

There were no passengers and no damage was reported by property owners.