Crash near city limits

Emergency services gathered on State Route 76 at the entrance to the Willow Springs Apartments for a two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon at 3:40 p.m. First responders stopped traffic in both directions as they worked to rescue the injured, one of whom was ejected in the crash as reported by scanner traffic.

According to the Willow Springs Police Department, Benjamin Venn, 24, of West Plains, was traveling south on 76 when he swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid a vehicle stopped to make a left turn into the apartment complex. His Ford F-250 collided head-on with a Kia Sedona driven by Jesicka Griffitts, 43, of Willow Springs. A passenger, Jaymie Griffitts, 18, was also injured in the crash. 

One injured party was flown by helicopter to a Springfield hospital. The other injured parties were taken by ambulance from the scene.