Teenage driver tries to avoid animal; car travels off the roadway and hits tree

A teenage driver tried to avoid an animal in the roadway Sunday night.

She ended up traveling off the road and crashing into a tree.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the 16-year-old female from Jasper was southbound on County Lane 10, about five miles north of Carthage just before 9 Sunday night when the wreck occurred.

She was taken to a Joplin hospital by private party.

Luckily, she suffered only minor injuries.

The 2018 Kia Forte the girl was driving was totaled.

Experts say it’s usually better to hit an animal than to  jeopardize your safety or the safety of another driver.