Early weekend accidents send two to hospitals

A California, Mo., man was being treated Saturday at University Hospital, Columbia, where he was flown by helicopter after he lost control of the 2000 Ford Focus he was driving at 11:50 p.m. Friday.

But a hospital spokesman said Saturday that no information was being released about Cory E. Wierman's treatment or condition.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Wierman, 23, was eastbound on Lookout Trail, one mile east of String Creek Road, when the car ran off the right side of the highway. When Wierman overcorrected, the car then crossed the highway, slid off the left side of the road and overturned.

Troopers said he wasn't using a seat belt.

On Friday, another California man was hurt when his riding mower/garden tractor was hit while he was crossing Route KK in front of his home northwest of California, at 3:15 p.m.

Claude J. Vanderpool, 58, was treated and released from St. Mary's Health Center in Jefferson City.

Kenneth C. Kniper, 64, California, was driving the 2001 Dodge pickup southbound, and wasn't reported as hurt. He was using a seat belt.

The accident happened a half-mile south of Swillum Road.