NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. (DDN) – Newton County Central Communications received reports of a significant crash near west of Mo-86 and Norway Road shortly after 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

Midway Fire Department, Newton County Ambulance, and Newton County Deputies responded. The Missouri State Highway Patrol was notified.

Missouri State Highway Patrol officers on the scene tell KOAM’s Shannon Becker that they are investigating a tragic crash. The MSHP Troop D Crash Team arrived to map out the area for analysis.

There were two automobiles involved. A Jeep going west on Mo-86 attempted to pass traffic when it collided with a Toyota Prius in the oncoming lane head-on.

The male driver of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler, 57, from Fairview, Mo., died on the spot. The Newton County Coroner was called. According to Tpr J. Baird, the driver was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown as the vehicle overturned off the north side of the road.

A 44-year-old Webb City, Mo. man was driving a 2010 Toyota Prius. He was transferred non-emergency to a Joplin hospital, where he was aware and talking to EMS personnel despite having critical injuries.

Metro Towing hauled away the automobiles and debris. The road reopened at about 11:20 a.m.

Reference: Fatal head-on collision near Fairview closes Mo-86 for crash investigation