2 die in failed passing attempt in Vernon County

EL DORADO SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) - Two people have died after a pickup truck crashed while attempting to pass several vehicles on U.S. 54 in west-central Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol identified the victims as the truck's driver, William Rader, and a 27-year-old passenger, Daniel Houts of Belton. The patrol listed Rader's age and hometown as unknown.

The crash happened around 10 p.m. Friday about three miles west of the Vernon County town of El Dorado Springs. The patrol said the truck Rader was driving met oncoming traffic during its passing attempt. When Rader tried to cut back into the eastbound lane, the rear of the truck struck the front tire of another eastbound pickup truck. The impact caused Rader's truck to veer off the road and hit a tree.