Taney County, MO (June 28, 2026) – An early evening head-on crash injured three people on Friday afternoon, June 26, on US 160 about eight miles northwest of Protem in Taney County. Officials were notified and arrived at the location at 5:35 p.m. after receiving reports of the collision.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a vehicle carrying a 62-year-old woman and a 13-year-old passenger was traveling on US 160 when it crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on. The impact left both vehicles heavily damaged. The 13-year-old, from Koshkonong, suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to a hospital.
A 12-year-old passenger in the other vehicle suffered moderate injuries and was also taken for medical treatment. The 62-year-old driver sustained minor injuries and was transported for evaluation. The driver of the second vehicle, a 36-year-old woman, was not injured.
We hope those injured recover fully and quickly.
Why Center-Line Crossings Lead to Severe Crashes
When a vehicle crosses the center line of a roadway, it can quickly enter the path of oncoming traffic, leaving little time for other drivers to react. These types of crashes usually result in head-on impacts, which tend to cause more serious injuries due to the force involved.
Investigators typically review roadway conditions, driver behavior, and vehicle positioning to determine why a vehicle left its lane. Factors such as distraction, fatigue, or sudden steering movements may be considered during the investigation. Medical evaluations and vehicle damage assessments also help reconstruct how the crash occurred.
