Belle woman seriously hurt in Maries County crash

A 49-year-old Belle woman was seriously injured Saturday evening after swerving to avoid a deer on Route M in Maries County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP).

The patrol says her westbound 2005 Jeep Cherokee went off the left side of the road and hit a tree about three-quarters of a mile east of Maries County Road 305.

She was wearing a safety device and was taken by Osage County EMS to University Hospital.

The Jeep was totaled and towed from the scene.