A Purdin man lost his life after a two-vehicle collision early Monday, Mar. 23 along U.S. Route 36 outside Laclede.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the crash around 5:45 a.m. at the intersection with Routes 5 and 139. According to troopers, the 67-year-old man drove his SUV across the westbound lanes of Route 36, into the path of a Jeep driven by a 32-year-old man from Brookfield. The Purdin man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead about two hours later. The Jeep driver incurred minor injuries and sought his own treatment. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the patrol.