Columbus, KS (August 20, 2026) – Two people were seriously injured on Tuesday afternoon, August 18, in a four-vehicle collision at the junction of US-69 and US-160 in Columbus.
The collision was reported at 2:48 p.m. at the intersection on the northeast side of Columbus. A 2006 Ford F-150, a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu, and a 2008 Suzuki motorcycle were traveling south on US-69.
A 2014 Nissan Pathfinder was stopped at a stop sign facing east on US-160. The Ford failed to stop and struck the Chevrolet, causing the pickup to overturn in the intersection.
The Chevrolet was pushed southwest and then struck the motorcycle. It later hit the Nissan, according to the initial report.
Daniel Joseph Stanton, 68, of Big Cabin, Oklahoma, drove the Ford and was taken to Mercy Hospital in Joplin with serious injuries.
Meghan Lee Martin, 27, of Lawrence, drove the Chevrolet and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Motorcycle rider Dakota David McKeehan, 28, of Lawrence, was taken to a hospital with suspected minor injuries.
Nissan driver Anabertha Martinez, 44, of Columbus, and passenger Ramiro Martinez, 39, were taken to Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg with suspected minor injuries. Jamie Ramiro Martinez, 9, and Anaycee Skyee Garcia, 7, were also taken there but had no apparent injuries. The investigation into the cause of the accident remains underway.
Our thoughts are with everyone hurt as they recover from their injuries.
What Factors Are Commonly Reviewed After a Multi-Vehicle Crash?
A multi-vehicle crash can involve several points of contact, making the sequence of events more complex. Investigators may review vehicle positions, travel directions, traffic controls, and roadway markings to establish how the vehicles moved before and after the collision.
Seat belt use can also be documented when people are hurt. Vehicle damage may provide information about where contact occurred and how force moved through each vehicle. Photos, witness accounts, and available video footage can offer additional details about the circumstances.
The type of road and intersection can also matter. Stop signs, traffic signals, lane arrangements, and visibility can affect how drivers approach an intersection. Medical records may later provide more detail about the severity of injuries reported after a major roadway collision.
