Woman dies after Highway 54 crash

COLE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City woman died on Monday after a crash on Highway 54.

Pamela Carsten, 68, traveled off of the right side of the road and hit a tree, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report. She was flown to the University of Missouri Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Carsten was a Cole County paramedic for decades, according to Cole County Emergency Medical Services.

"She was someone that made those around her better," Medical Services wrote in a Facebook post. "She believed in what she did, and that was making a difference, not only in her patient's lives, but in the lives who had the pleasure of working with her."

Part of Highway 54 was closed on Monday afternoon after the crash.

Both eastbound and westbound lanes were closed at Quail Road west of Brazito at about 12:30 p.m., according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Lanes were back open by 1:30 p.m.