Oran girl injured after tow truck's brakes fail

A 12-year-old Oran girl received severe injuries Sunday evening after brakes failed on a tow truck, which was towing the vehicle she was riding in.

Amber Reynolds was airlifted to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. Her mother, Pamela Reynolds, 37, was taken by ambulance to Saint Francis with moderate injuries.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred when the brakes failed on a tow truck which was towing the Reynolds' vehicle. Both vehicles were traveling southbound on Route N near Commerce when the brakes failed, causing both vehicles to run off the roadway and strike a tree.

Glenn Winemiller, 43, of Benton, Mo., was driving the tow truck owned by Todd's Towing in Sikeston. He was not injured.

Citations are pending with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.