Three-car crash kills one driver Friday afternoon

There was a fatality accident around 4:15 Friday afternoon about five miles north of Seneca on Highway 43.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Rachel J. Ezell of Joplin was stopped in traffic, attempting to make a left turn when her vehicle was rear-ended by a pickup driven by 55-year-old William S. Browne of Wyandotte, Oklahoma.

Browne’s truck then crossed the centerline and hit a vehicle driven by 76-year-old Ernest R. Perez of Parsons, Kan.

Browne was pronounced dead by Newton County Coroner Dale Owen.

Ezell was transported to Mercy Joplin with minor injuries.

Perez was not injured in the accident.