Head-on crash leaves one dead in Moniteau County

One person is dead after a head on collision in Moniteau County that happened just after midnight Saturday morning.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, 20-year-old Graden Lovelace was involved in a crash with 27-year-old Joshua Blankenship.

The crash report says Blankenship crossed the center line on US 50, hitting Lovelace’s car head-on. The report says the two cars caught fire after the collision. Lovelace was pronounced deceased on the scene. Blankenship was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. As of Saturday night, Blankenship was still in the hospital in critical condition.

MSHP says Lovelace was wearing his seat belt, but Blankenship was not.

It’s not clear what caused the crash.

This is Troop F’s second fatal crash in the month of August and 42nd for 2016.