BENTON, Mo. -- A 30-year-old northeast Missouri woman was killed Thursday when the vehicle she was driving was struck head-on by another car that crossed the median of Interstate 55.

The collision occurred at 12:15 p.m. in the northbound lanes near mile marker 78, just south of Benton, according the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

A 2005 Kia traveling south crossed the median and struck the northbound 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, the patrol stated. The driver of the Chevrolet, Rebecca L. Jackson of Farber, Mo., was buckled up and had to be extricated from her car by emergency crews, according to the highway patrol.

She was taken to Saint Francis Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 3:23 p.m., Scott County chief deputy coroner Jerry Goin said. She died from major internal injuries suffered in the accident.

No inquest or autopsy will be conducted.

Tammy L. Rol, 37, of Benton was driving the Kia. She was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle, according to the patrol.

An ambulance took Rol to Saint Francis Medical Center in serious condition. An update on her condition Thursday evening was not available.

Neither vehicle had passengers.

Following the accident, the Kia was facing north in the northbound lanes, and the Chevrolet was about 10 yards east of the interstate. Both cars were totaled, the patrol said.

The highway patrol could not provide further details on the accident Thursday night.

As a result of the accident, northbound traffic on the interstate slowed temporarily and was backed up about 10 miles to Miner, Mo., while crews removed the wreckage.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127