Two families escaped critical injuries last Wednesday evening, after their vehicles collided just south of Emporia shortly after 8:30 p.m.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a northbound truck driven by Justin Atchison, 33, of Lebo hit a deer crossing the highway and veered into the southbound lane, colliding with a truck driven by Loren Andrew Hughes, 62, of Eureka.
L. Hughes and a passenger, Karen Hughes, 62, also of Eureka, along with Atchison and a passenger, Amy Atchison, 33, also of Lebo, were transported to Newman Regional Hospital, in Emporia. L. Hughes was listed with suspected serious injuries and K. Hughes and the Atchisons were listed as having suspected minor injuries. Two juveniles in the Atchison vehicle were also listed on the log, but not identified. According to KVOE, Lyon County deputies and Emporia EMS crews say they were hospitalized as well with unspecified injuries.
The four people specified on the crash log were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. All occupants were taken by EMS to Newman Regional Health.
According to a post by A. Atchison, when the deer and their truck hit, the airbags deployed and her husband was knocked out and struck the other truck. She also noted that her family had some head injuries, a broken bone and bruising but were able to walk out of the hospital. The Hughes also had broken bones and bruising, but managed to avoid critical injuries from the accident.
K-99 was closed for about 90 minutes after the wreck. Troopers, Lyon County deputies, Emporia/ Lyon County EMS, Olpe first responders and Kansas Department of Transportation staff all responded.
