Crash on Highway 171 injures five

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a medical emergency led to a car driven 41-year-old David M. Stephens of Pittsburg to cross the centerline Highway 171, three miles north of Asbury at 11:15 a.m. on Monday.

He then hit a car driven by 63-year-old Kevin L. Plank of Valley Center, Kansas. Plank’s car went off the highway and overturned.

Both drivers had serious injuries. An occupant in Plank’s vehicle, 63-year-old Deanna Plank, had moderate injuries.

Two juveniles in the Plank vehicle had minor injuries.

All of those hurt were taken to Joplin hospitals.