85-year-old dies in crash that shut down part of Jefferson City interchange

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

An 85-year-old woman died in a crash that closed a major interchange in southwest Jefferson City Tuesday morning.

A release from the Jefferson City Police Department said officers started receiving calls about the wreck on the eastbound Highway 54 exit ramp to Highway 179 and the overpass at the interchange at 10:21 a.m.

Police say Jackie S. Wells, 85, of Jefferson City, was driving eastbound on Highway 179 and crashed into 52-year-old Danielle R. Malzner, of Russellville, who was driving a GMC pickup truck. The release said Malzner was exiting 54 and trying to make a lefthand turn.

The report said Malzner's truck was hit on near the driver's side door. Police said Malzner was wearing a seatbelt, Wells was not.

Jefferson City firefighters had remove both drivers from their vehicles, police say.

Wells was taken to a Jefferson City hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

The release said Malzner had serious injuries from the crash and was taken to a hospital in Columbia. University Hospital spokesman said she was treated and released.

The police department's traffic division is taking over the crash investigation.