Car struck by train in Audrain County, two hospitalized

UPDATE 12/21/16: Melissa Hodde was in critical condition Wednesday night. Stephanie Stevens has been released from the hospital.

ORIGINAL 12/20/16: Two women were flown to a Columbia hospital after their car was struck by a train in Audrain County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Melissa Hodde, 46, of Vandalia was driving a Jeep Wrangler with passenger Stephanie Stevens, 37, of West Plains just after 11:00 a.m.

When Hodde reached the area of County Road 577 and Highway 54, she drove into the path of a westbound train.

Her vehicle was struck in the right front corner and both she and Stevens were ejected from the Jeep. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

Hodde and Stevens suffered serious injuries and were life-flighted to University Hospital.