RILEY — A 9-year-old girl involved in a three vehicle crash northwest of Manhattan has died, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
The child, one of five involved in a crash at the east junction of US 24 & US 77 near Riley was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita Wednesday morning where she passed away. An 8-year-old was also flown to KU Medical Center and remains in serious condition. KHP cannot confirm whether they were wearing their seat belts. Two infants and a 2-year-old were treated and released for their injuries.
The crash occurred Tuesday evening around 5:30 p.m. when a passenger car driven by 25-year-old Lauren VanMeter of Manhattan failed to yield to oncoming traffic. Her vehicle was struck by 59-year-old Darrell Thompson of Wamego, whose vehicle then crossed the center line and struck a pickup driven by 64-year-old Mason Miller of Manhattan.
VanMeter was injured and transported to Via Christi Hospital. Miller and Thompson were not hurt in the crash. The wreck closed the highway in both directions for a couple of hours Tuesday evening.
6:30 a.m. Wednesday
RILEY — Several people were hurt Tuesday evening after a three vehicle crash near the intersection of US Hwy 24 and Hwy 77 shortly before 5:30 p.m.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol a passenger car driven by 25-year-old Lauren VanMeter of Manhattan was stopped on Hwy 24 facing east. The Highway Patrol says VanMeter’s car failed to yield to oncoming traffic pulling into Riley. Her vehicle was struck by 59-year-old Darrell Thompson of Wamego, whose vehicle then crossed the center line and struck a pickup driven by 64-year-old Mason Miller of Manhattan.
VanMeter was injured and transported to Via Christi Hospital. Five juveniles in her car also were hurt including a female juvenile air lifted to the University of Kansas Hospital in serious condition. Another female juvenile was taken to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. It is unknown if either of those three were wearing their seat belts. Additionally a restrained injured juvenile female and two restrained juvenile males were transported to Via Christi Hospital.
Miller and Thompson were not hurt in the crash. The wreck closed the highway in both directions for a couple of hours Tuesday evening.
