LAWRENCE Co., — A Branson West man died early this morning after a vehicle he was in struck a tree a few miles east of Mount Vernon.

Robert Addington-Wells, 37, was riding in a vehicle driven by Michael Biggs, 51, of Reeds Springs, when the vehicle went off the right side of the road and struck a tree.

Addington-Wells was pronounced dead on the scene. Biggs was transported to Cox South Hospital in Springfield with serious injuries.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Biggs was not wearing a seatbelt, but Addington-Wells was.