Paramedics who arrived at the scene of a single-vehicle crash in Elsberry, Missouri, on Saturday morning confirmed the driver had died, according to a written crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The deceased driver was identified as a 36-year-old man from Elsberry, though his name has not been released by MSHP.
A 29-year-old man, also from Elsberry, was a passenger in the vehicle and sustained moderate injuries. Reports indicate that the passenger was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The incident occurred at approximately 2 a.m. on Highway 79, south of Route JJ. According to MSHP, the driver was operating a 2001 Ford Taurus when the vehicle left the east side of the roadway, went down an embankment, and collided with a tree. It was noted that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt during the crash.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department assisted MSHP at the scene.
Further details are expected as the investigation continues. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.