KC man killed in three-vehicle crash in Benton County

A Kansas City man died Sunday and four people were injured in a three-car accident on state Route 7 in Benton County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.

Jerry W. Puckett, 58, was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City after the collision. He was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m. Sunday by Dr. Harry Wilkins.

Peggy A. Puckett, 56, of Kansas City, was airlifted to Research Hospital in Kansas City with serious injuries. Mary R. Clodfelter, 49, and Ben L. Coleman, 18, both of Camdenton, were transported by Life Flight to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment of serious injuries, troopers reported.

David G. Woodfine, 64, of Warsaw, suffered minor injuries in the wreck, but refused treatment at the scene.

The accident happened just after 4 p.m. Sunday. According to Highway Patrol reports, Jerry Puckett was northbound on state Route 7, just north of state Route UU, when he drove off the roadway, skidded back across the center line and struck Woodfine and Coleman, who were both driving in the southbound lane.

Puckett’s vehicle overturned and came to a rest in the southbound lane of state Route 7.

Troopers reported charges are pending in the ongoing crash investigation.