Northbound Missouri 71 Highway near the Red Bridge Road exit was the scene of a fatal crash Wednesday morning that shut down the highway for over four hours.  According to authorities, the men were in a Pontiac Trans Am traveling at high rates of speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle. 

The car crossed three lanes of traffic and crashed into a guardrail on the east side of 71 Highway.  The passenger was ejected from the Trans Am.  The car continued on approximately 250 feet where it came to rest in the middle of the highway.  At that time a northbound Mazda rear-ended the Trans Am and the driver was ejected from the vehicle. 

Both men from the Trans Am were rushed to an area hospital critically injured.  The driver, later died from his injuries.  The driver of the Mazda had minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.  Northbound lanes of 71 Highway reopened around 6:45 a.m.