HODGEMAN COUNTY, KS — A devastating multi-vehicle accident claimed the lives of five people, including three young children, on Thursday afternoon. The collision occurred on Kansas Highway 156 between Jetmore and Hanston.
Details of the Crash
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), the incident began just after 1:00 p.m. when an eastbound 2005 Dodge Dakota veered off the roadway. Investigators state that the driver of the Dodge attempted to overcorrect, which caused the vehicle to spin out of control and enter the westbound lane.
The spinning Dodge struck a 2023 Ford Ranger traveling in the opposite direction.
Victims Identified
The KHP confirmed that four occupants of the Dodge Dakota were pronounced dead at the scene. They have been identified as:
- Brianna Mae Katherine Kauffman, 29, of Garden City
- Ryder Keith, 7
- Ryker Kole, 5
- RaLeah Mae, 3
The driver of the Ford Ranger, Adam William Edwards, 45, also of Garden City, was killed in the impact.
The driver of the Dodge, a 48-year-old male, survived the initial collision but sustained suspected serious injuries. He was life-flighted to a hospital in Wichita for emergency treatment.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
A critical detail highlighted in the KHP crash report is that none of the occupants in either vehicle were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Authorities closed the stretch of Highway 156 for several hours to conduct an investigation and clear the wreckage. The roadway was officially reopened to traffic shortly before 7:00 p.m.
The crash remains under investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
