McKenna M. Templeton, 18, of Festus was killed Friday evening (March 19) in a two-vehicle accident on I-55 at the 146.4 mile marker in Ste. Genevieve County, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported.
At 6:43 p.m., Templeton was driving a 2009 Ford Escape south on the interstate and while trying to change lanes, the front right of the SUV struck the rear left side of a southbound tractor-trailer, and then the Escape overturned, ejecting her. The SUV also struck the guard rail, the report said.
Lewis A. Riddick III, 55, of Perryville was driving the big rig, a 2006 Freightliner. No injuries were reported for him.
Templeton was pronounced dead at the scene by Ste. Genevieve County Coroner Eric Basler, the report said.
Templeton was not wearing a seat belt, and Riddick was wearing one, the patrol reported.
The SUV was totaled, and the tractor-trailer had minor damage, the report said.