Small-town mayor dies in crash

SILEX, Mo. -- The mayor of a tiny eastern Missouri town died after being involved in a head-on collision with a vehicle that crossed the center line.

David E. Rice, 67, of Silex was pronounced dead Friday at a St. Louis-area hospital. His son confirmed Rice's death.

Rice had been mayor of Silex, a town of about 200 people in Lincoln County, for three years.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Rice was traveling east on Route E in Lincoln County at 7:05 a.m. when a car driven by 17-year-old Daniel Stone of Silex crossed into his path.

Stone and 71-year-old Dorothy Ford, a Silex alderwoman who was a passenger in Rice's vehicle, were taken to hospitals with serious injuries.

All three were wearing seat belts.