A man was killed and a woman was seriously injured early Tuesday morning after a crash in Buchanan County.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, around 1:11 a.m. Corrine Smith, 24 of St. Joseph was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier southbound on Missouri 371 about 10 miles south of St. Joseph when she lost control in a curve went off the west side of the road and hit a tree. Brandon Nolan, 24 also of St. Joseph was a passenger in the vehicle. Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was transported by ambulance to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of what was described as a serious injury. Smith and Nolan were not reported to be wearing a seat belt.

Buchanan County Sheriff Bill Puett said preliminary information he has received indicates the sheriff’s department may have been pursuing the vehicle prior to the crash.  Puett said the Missouri State Highway Patrol was requested to investigate the crash. Sgt. Jake Angle said Tuesday morning that the patrol’s crash team is still investigating.