Adair County, MO (June 17, 2026) – Three northeast Missouri residents, including a 10-year-old girl, were injured in a head-on collision on Monday evening on State Highway 6 east of Novinger. Emergency units responded to the crash scene shortly after 7:15 p.m.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a car driven by Linda Scobee, 65, of Green Castle, was traveling west in the eastbound lane when it collided head-on with a van driven by a 40-year-old Kirksville woman. The crash occurred about one mile east of Novinger.
The van driver and a 10-year-old girl riding in the vehicle both suffered moderate injuries. They were transported by ambulance to Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville. Scobee was also injured and taken to the same hospital with moderate injuries.
Authorities said Scobee was cited on allegations of two counts of DWI causing injury, careless and imprudent driving, and driving without a license. Authorities are still looking into the accident. Our thoughts are with everyone involved as they recover.
Why Wrong-Way and Lane-Crossing Crashes Can Be So Severe
Head-on collisions result in serious injuries because the force of impact is concentrated between vehicles traveling in opposite directions. When a vehicle enters the wrong lane, drivers may have little time to react or avoid a crash.
Investigators typically examine lane positions, roadway markings, driver actions, and physical evidence from the scene. Vehicle damage and witness statements can help determine how and when a vehicle crossed into opposing traffic. Seat belt use, road conditions, and visibility may also be reviewed to better understand the circumstances surrounding the collision.
