Woman in critical condition after accident

Columbia police are investigating a car accident Friday night that resulted in two people being transported to University Hospital.

Kelly James, 37, of St. Louis, was driving a 1995 Nissan Maxima northbound on Range Line Drive around 9:45 p.m. Friday when her car crossed over into the other lane of traffic near American Parkway, Sgt. Ken Gregory said. She collided head-on with a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Matthew Martin, 27, of Columbia.

Martin did not require treatment for his injuries, but Cynthia Martin, a passenger in the Trailblazer, and James were both transported to University Hospital, according to a police news release. Cynthia Martin has since been discharged. James was in critical condition at the hospital Saturday afternoon, said a spokeswoman at the hospital.

Neither Matthew nor Cynthia Martin were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident and police are still gathering evidence to find if James was wearing hers, Gregory said.

Police suspect that alcohol might have been a cause of the accident, Gregory said.

James was charged with failing to drive in the right half of the roadway, but Gregory said further charges will not be filed until the investigation is completed.