ST. LOUIS-AREA WOMAN DIES, TWO CHILDREN INJURED IN I-55 ACCIDENT

PORTAGEVILLE -- A St. Louis-area woman was killed Monday in an accident on Interstate 55 near Portageville.

Rachel Patty, 25, was killed in the accident, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. Two children, ages 3 and 4 months, were injured.

Patty of Florissant was pronounced dead at the scene. Jaysha Patty, 3, was moderately injured and was taken to Pemiscot County Memorial Hospital in Caruthersville. Jaylin Darden, 4 months, was seriously injured and taken by helicopter to Labonners Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said Patty was killed when her vehicle ran off the road, hit a guard rail, overturned and came to rest on its roof. She was not wearing a seat belt, the patrol said.

Neither of the children were bucked in child restraints, the patrol said.

The accident happened at 11:29 a.m. about three miles south of Portageville.