Eight people were injured Wednesday when two vehicles collided in Russell County. Kansas Highway Patrol reports the driver of a Chevrolet Suburban carrying students from Clifton-Clyde High School lost control on the hail-covered road at 2:45 p.m. on Interstate 70, five miles east of Russell. The Suburban then crossed the median, sliding sideways. The driver’s side of the Suburban hit the front of an Oldsmobile Alero. The Suburban then rolled on to its top and came to rest on the right shoulder.
Laura Kay Stunkel, 29, from Palmer, was driving the Suburban. She was taken to Russell Regional Hospital, as were her passengers: Kegan Hubert, 18; Jonathan Douley, 18; Autumn Sorell, 15; Linney Haas, 15; Dorian Girard, 16; and Tsai Yichi, 16, all of Clifton.
The Oldsmobile was driven by Melinda S. Smith, 53, from Shawnee, who was also taken to the hospital.
Both drivers and all passengers were wearing seat belts.