Hodgeman Co, KS (April 5, 2026) – Five people, including three children, were killed on Saturday afternoon in a head-on crash on K-156 between Jetmore and Hanston, authorities reported.
The crash occurred at 1:21 p.m. and involved a 2005 Dodge Dakota traveling eastbound and a 2023 Ford Ranger traveling westbound. Troopers said the Dakota left the roadway on its passenger side, overcorrected, and spun into the Ranger.
Four occupants of the Dakota were killed: 29-year-old Brianna Mae Katherine Kauffman and three children under the age of eight, Raleah Mae Kauffman, 3, Ryder Keith Kauffman, 7, and Ryker Kole Kauffman, 5. The Dakota driver, 48-year-old Rony Baxter Martinez-Meneses, was flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita with critical injuries. The driver of the Ford Ranger, 45-year-old Adam William Edwards, also died at the scene. None of the victims was wearing a seat belt.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those killed.
Why Head-on Crashes Are Often Fatal
Head-on collisions are among the deadliest types of vehicle crashes because the combined speed of the two vehicles greatly increases the impact force. Occupants in smaller vehicles or without seat belts are at the highest risk of serious injury or death.
Loss of control, overcorrection, or veering off the road can quickly lead to a head-on collision, especially on two-lane highways. Emergency responders often face complex scenes requiring rapid medical attention and crash reconstruction. Safety measures such as wearing restraints, staying alert, and maintaining proper lane positioning are key to reducing the likelihood and severity of these collisions.
