Three Meta residents killed in car crash on Route B in Cole County

Law enforcement officials confirm three people were killed in an accident in Cole County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 58-year-old Wanda Coons, 44-year-old William Coons and 12-year-old Shadrach Rowden all died in the crash. All three were from Meta. William Coons was the driver of the car.

Sheriff Greg White told ABC 17 News his department is assisting the Missouri State Highway Patrol with the fatal accident in the 13000 block of Route B near St. Thomas.

Officials confirmed three people were killed when their southbound car swerved into oncoming traffic and hit a tractor trailer. The car then caught on fire and ended up in a tree.

“The car caught fire after impact, so we’re in the process of confirming, but there’s certainly three [dead],” said Tim Tinnin of the Highway Patrol.

Troopers said the car was so badly damaged, the Highway Patrol had a difficult time getting an accurate count on the number of people in the car.

The driver of the tractor trailer was not seriously injured, but taken to an area hospital.

It’s still unclear what caused the car to cross the center of the road.