Wamego, KS (July 6, 2026) – Seven people, including six children, were hurt in a two-vehicle collision on US-24 Hwy at Airport Road, about one mile east of Wamego in Pottawatomie County.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash happened at about 3:55 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, when a westbound 2010 Honda Civic attempted to turn left onto southbound Airport Rd. The Honda failed to yield to an eastbound 2017 Ford Transit van, and the two vehicles collided.
The Honda driver, 22-year-old Fernanda M. Koskinen of St. Marys, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Passengers aged 15, 9, and 8 also suffered serious injuries. Another teenager, aged 14, was taken to a hospital with suspected minor injuries, while the last child, aged 12, was reported to have possible injuries. All six occupants of the Honda were wearing seat belts.
A passenger in the Ford van, a 10-year-old from St. Marys, was taken to a hospital with suspected minor injuries. The van’s driver, Galvin P. Carroll, 36, along with his children passengers, two 3-year-olds, a 6-year-old, an 8-year-old, and an 11-year-old were not hurt. Everyone inside the van was wearing seat belts.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation as more information becomes available.
We send our best wishes to everyone recovering from their injuries.
Why Left-Turn Crashes at Highway Intersections Can Be Serious
Left-turn collisions at highway intersections mostly happen when drivers misjudge the speed or distance of approaching traffic. Vehicles traveling at highway speeds have less time to slow down, making these crashes more likely to cause multiple injuries.
Seat belt use remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe harm during a collision. Even when injuries occur, proper restraint can help lower the chance of being ejected or suffering more serious trauma. After a major roadway collision, investigators typically examine vehicle positions, witness statements, traffic controls, and physical evidence to determine the sequence of events. This process helps build a clearer picture of what happened and may identify factors that contributed to the crash.
