Edwards Teen Injured After Chevy Hits Tree

An Edwards teenager was injured early Friday morning after the vehicle he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 17-year-old Austin L. Flippin of Edwards was the driver of a northbound 2010 Chevy Equinox on Route M at Red Wagon Drive in Benton County at 2:40 a.m., when the vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Flippin suffered serious injuries and was flown to University Hospital in Columbia by Lifeflight Eagle. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The Chevy had moderate damage and was towed from the scene.

Benton County deputies assisted the Patrol at the crash site.