Tuesday crashes seriously injure two area women

Two area women were seriously injured in separate crashes Tuesday on Southeast Missouri roadways.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports a two-vehicle crash occurred at 5:42 p.m. on Highway 53, one-half mile north of Highway UU.

Jeanette M. Lemire, 61 of Poplar Bluff was operating a southbound 2011 Chevrolet HHR when she attempted a U-turn in the road, and her car allegedly was struck by a 1985 Chevrolet pickup being operated by Wendy L. Rhodes.

Lemire suffered serious injuries was flown to Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau for treatment.

Rhodes, 46, of Qulin suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Earlier in the day, the patrol was called to another two-vehicle crash, which occurred at 9:35 a.m. on County Road 122, five miles west of Malden.

According to the patrol report, Mary Y. Blevins, 48, of Malden was operating a 2019 GMC pickup southbound when it crossed the center line and struck a 2011 Buick LaCrosse head on.

Blevins suffered minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.

The other driver, Teresa L. Lee, 59, of Malden, suffered serious injuries and was flown to Saint Francis for treatment.

Lee’s passenger, David N. Lee, 63, of Malden, suffered minor injuries and was taken by ambulance to SoutheastHEALTH of Stoddard County at Dexter for treatment.