Puxico woman killed in head-on crash

A Puxico, Mo., woman was killed and her infant son was injured Monday afternoon when their car struck another vehicle in a head-on crash on a Cape Girardeau County highway. The driver of the second car suffered serious injuries, while the driver of a third car, which struck the second from behind, was treated for minor injuries.

Erin L. Powell, 24, was pronounced dead at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau at 4:44 p.m. following the 3:25 p.m. crash on Highway 25 about 1 mile south of Delta. Her son, Waylon Powell, who is less than 1 year old, suffered moderate injuries, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.

Jessica D. Cato, 23, of Advance, Mo., was traveling south on Highway 25 when the 1998 Toyota driven by Powell crossed the center line and collided with Cato's 2004 Oldsmobile.

Stephanie D. Bess, 25, of Advance, crashed her 2005 Chrysler into the rear of Cato's car.

All the accident victims were taken to Saint Francis Medical Center for treatment. Cato was later taken by air ambulance to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for treatment.