A two-vehicle crash west of Lexington claimed the life of an area man and injured four other people.

The accident occurred around 11 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27 on U.S. Route 24 about a half-mile east of the intersection with County Farm Road. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an eastbound car driven by a 34-year-old Lexington man crossed the center line and struck an SUV head-on, causing the car to go off the roadway while the SUV came to rest on its top. The Lexington man was pronounced dead at the scene; troopers say he had not been wearing his seat belt.

The 19-year-old driver of the SUV from Gladstone suffered serious injuries, while an infant and 22-year-old man also from Gladstone sustained minor injuries. A fourth passenger in the SUV from Alabama suffered moderate injuries. All four were taken to a Kansas City area hospital.