May 19, 2020

UPDATED: Injury accident closes portion of US-50 for several hours Tuesday

Posted May 19, 2020 11:01 PM

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An accident on Highway 50 Tuesday morning sent two people to the hospital.

According to the Reno County Sheriff's Office, at 7:34 a.m. Tuesday, a deputy was dispatched to the 7600 block of East U.S. 50 where 22-year-old Chase Wahquahboshkuk-Kramer of Mayetta was driving a white 2013 Jeep Patriot and passed a 2017 black Honda Accord driven by 42-year-old Elizabeth Touzel of Hutchinson.

The Mayetta woman began driving erratically after passing, crossed the center line and continued into the westbound lane, where she collided head on with a semi. The 2011 semi was driven by 56-year-old Phillip Adams of Orrick, Mo.

Wahquahboshkuk-Kramer’s vehicle then collided with Touzel's vehicle. The semi exited the roadway and ended up in the north ditch. Touzel's vehicle exited the roadway and ended up in the south ditch. Wahquahboshkuk-Kramer's vehicle remained on the roadway.

Wahquahboshkuk-Kramer was wearing her seatbelt. The airbags deployed, and she was trapped in her vehicle. She was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Touzel was transported by Reno County EMS to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment of her injuries. She was wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident and airbags deployed.

Adams sustained minor injuries and declined treatment by EMS. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.

Both lanes of U.S. 50 were opened back up around 3 p.m. Tuesday. The accident is still under investigation.