Mars co-owner and one of world's richest women worth $20.5 billion loses control of Porsche and crashes head-on into minivan killing grandmother, 86, in highway horror

Jacqueline Badger Mars, the 73-year-old heiress of the Mars candy empire, has been involved in a car crash in Virginia that killed an 86-year-old grandmother from Texas, according to authorities.



Miss Mars, one of the richest people in the world with a net worth estimated at $20.5billion, was driving her 2004 Porsche SUV in Loudoun County Friday when she allegedly crossed the median on Route 50 and slammed into a 2013 Chrysler minivan.



A backseat passenger of the vehicle, identified as 86-year-old Irene Ellisor, of Huntsville, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deadly crash: Police say Mars candy empire heiress Jacqueline Badger Mars (left), 73, was driving her Porsche when she allegedly slammed head into a minivan, killing 86-year-old Irene Ellisor (right) on the spot



Candy queen: Jacqueline Mars and her two brothers own the largest sweets manufacturer in the world with $33billion in sales

Tycoon: Mars is a divorced mother of three and the 15th wealthiest person in the world

Palatial home: Miss Mars owns a lavish estate in The Plains, Virginia

According to investigators, Mars, the granddaughter of the founder of the Mars, Inc, candy, food and beverage giant, was going westbound on Route 50 just before 2.30pm Friday when for some unknown reason she reportedly veered across the double yellow line near Briar Patch Lane, colliding head-on with the Chrysler minivan carrying six women.

The victim, Irene Ellisor, was reportedly not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, The Washington Post reported.



The other five occupants of the vehicle were hospitalized, among them the driver who was listed in serious condition, according to Leesburg Today.

Mars, who turns 74 Thursday, was rushed to Stone Springs Medical Center and was later transferred to Inova Fairfax Hosptial, where she was treated for her injuries and released.



Ellisor and her companions traveled from Texas to Virginia to attend the wedding of a relative, which was to be held Friday night.



Tragic matriarch: Ellisor, pictured left and right at her grandson's graduation, traveled from Texas to Virginia last week to attend a wedding; police say she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash



In a statement Tuesday, a spokesman for Mars said the divorced mother of three was recovering at home after being involved in a two-car accident.



‘This tragedy has left Jacquie filled with sorrow for the loss of life and those who were injured,’ spokesman Kent Jarrell stated. ‘She would like to express her deepest condolences to the families involved.’



Ambitious innovator: Mars was founded in 1911 by Jacqueline Mars' grandfather, Frank Mars, who started his business by making chocolates in his Tacoma, Washington, kitchen

Miss Mars so far has not been charged with any crime.



It is now up to the Office of Commonwealth's Attorney to decide if Mars will face any charges in the fatal accident.



Jacqueline Mars and her two brothers, John and Forrest Jr., own Mars - the largest candy maker in the world with $33billion in sales. All three are on the board of directors but are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the corporation.



The three siblings inherited the company in 1999 after the death of their father.

Jacqueline Mars was ranked by Forbes Magazine in September as the 15th wealthiest person in the world boasting a net worth upward of $20billion.



Mars was founded in 1911 by Jacqueline Mars' grandfather, Frank Mars, who got his business off the ground by making chocolates in his Tacoma, Washington, kitchen.



In 1929, the company invented the signature malt-flavored nougat, which became the filing of Milky Way and Snickers candy bars.



The sweets manufacturer is also the marker of M&Ms, over 400 million of which are produced in the U.S. each day.



Besides sugary treats, Mars’ extensive portfolio includes Uncle Ben's rice and pet food brands Pedigree and Whiskas.

Sweet success: The manufacturer of Mars and a host of other candy bars has been in operation since 1911