A 34-year-old Owen County woman was killed in a three-vehicle accident that occurred at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday on Ind. 46, just east of Hedrick Road, said Monroe County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Smith.

Stephanie Elaine Brinson, 34, was traveling west on Ind. 46 in her 2000 Saturn when she crossed the center line, first clipping the side of a 1990 Ford Aerostar and then plowing head-on into a 1998 Mercedes Benz, Smith said.

Although Brinson was conscious at the scene, she was pronounced dead less than two hours later at Bloomington Hospital from massive injuries, said Monroe County Deputy Coroner Marie Shipley.

Shipley said Brinson's husband, Randy, was at the hospital when she died.

No one else was seriously injured in the accident; Douglas A. Alleavitch, 42, declined medical treatment for a hand injury, and Sharon K. Axsom, 46, reported chest pain from her seat belt, Smith said.

According to hospital records, Axsom was treated and released.

"I think the seat belt actually saved her life," Smith said.

Brinson was wearing a seat belt as well, Smith said, but it was unable to protect her from the internal injuries she suffered.

Rescue workers had to free her from the wreckage after her car had collapsed around her, Smith said.

Smith said there appeared to be no drugs or alcohol connected to the accident, and that it seemed that Brinson had fallen asleep on the road.