Driver in serious condition after stopping incident on highway

CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)

MU Health officials say the driver of a van carrying six minors is in serious condition after being hit by a car when she got out of her van to change a flat tire on I-70.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report says Whitney C. Watson, of St. Louis was driving with an adult passenger and 6 minors going westbound on I-70 when her van got a flat tire just before 6 p.m. on Saturday.

At that point, Watson stopped the van in the passing lane of I-70 and got to change the tire.

While Watson was behind the van, an oncoming car, a 2010 Lexus IS, slowed down and was rear-ended by a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, pushing the Lexus into Watson and the van, sending her into the median.

The Chevy Malibu went off the right side of the road, hitting a traffic sign and coming to rest in a ditch. Meanwhile, the van and the Lexus came to rest in the passing lane.

All seven occupants of the van were taken to University Hospital along with the driver of the Chevy Malibu and Watson.

Nobody in Watson's van was wearing a seatbelt and they all suffered minor injuries. However, the driver of the Malibu was wearing a seatbelt, also suffered minor injuries and was taken to University Hospital.

At last check, Watson was in serious condition, recovering in the hospital.