FRANKLIN COUNTY — A Missouri couple was injured in the northbound lanes of I-57 Friday afternoon after the driver lost control of a 2017 Ford Edge near mile marker 77.

Illinois State Police reports indicate that 67-year-old Keith Kottman of Fenton lost control of his vehicle at approximately 5:45 p.m. when it traveled off the roadway onto the left shoulder and into the median. The vehicle struck a ridge in the median then overturned several times. ottman and his passenger, 59-year-old Lise Kottman, were entrapped in the vehicle and sustained serious injuries.

Both occupants were extricated from the vehicle by the Ewing-Northern Fire Department then transported to a St. Louis area hospital by helicopter. Preliminary reports determined improper lane usage was determined to be the cause of the crash.