A 38-year-old Independence woman had to be flown from the scene of a traffic crash in Pettis County on Monday.

According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred as a northbound vehicle, driven by 46-year-old Brian Welch, of Sweet Springs, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Welch was transported to Bothwell Regional Health Center in Sedalia for treatment of minor injuries. A passenger in the vehicle- Lea Ulberg- was flown by Life Flight helicopter to St. Luke’s on the Plaza for treatment of serious injuries. Neither of the vehicle’s occupants was wearing a seat belt.

The crash happened at 5:26 p.m. on Walnut Grove Road, north of Little Muddy Road.