Two teenagers from Jefferson County were killed in a crash involving a pickup and an ambulance last night on Highway 21 in Hillsboro.

Police said Paul Phillips, 18, of Pevely and Brittany M. Warren, 18, Festus were killed about 10 p.m. when the pickup truck in which they were riding pulled into the path of an ambulance at Highways 21 and A.

Neither Warren nor Phillips were wearing a seatbelt. The two teens were engaged to be married this summer.

Police said the pickup was heading west on Highway A, and apparently did not see the approaching ambulance. The ambulance reportedly had its emergency lights and siren on.

Police said the pickup struck the right front side of the ambulance, causing it to overturn. The pickup truck ended up in a ditch.

Four people were inside the ambulance, two paramedics, a patient and that patient's sister. All suffered minor injuries.

Mary Chaffin, 23, of Dittmer, was treated and released at St. Anthony’s, a spokeswoman for the hospital said.

Darren Meador, 32, of Hillsboro; Franklin Umbdenstock, 53, of Festus; and Susan Chaffin, 26, passenger of De Soto, were taken to Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Crystal City, where they also were treated and released, a spokesman for the hospital said.

photos courtesy KMOV TV4
more photos at
http://www.kmov.com/slideshows/050128_ambulanceax_slideshow.html