Smoke from a large grass fire burning north of Interstate 70 on Monday caused a chain reaction accident involving five vehicles, Kansas Highway Patrol reports.
The accident occurred 15 miles west of Salina at 3:22 p.m. Smoke blowing across the highway reduced visibility to zero, which caused traffic to slow and led to the chain reaction.
A Ford F-150 pickup was driven by Loren Jay Schultz, 56, of Hoisington, who was not injured.
A Mercury Mariner was driven by Donald Bruce Gibbs, 55, of Independence, Mo. He was not injured, but passenger Janet Leigh Gibbs, 54, was taken to Salina Regional Health Center with undetermined injuries. A Pontiac Grand Prix was driven by Heather Lorece Mayberry, 35, Salina. She and her 9-year-old passenger were not injured.
A Honda Odyssey van was driven by Casey J. Prine, Derby. He and three passengers were not injured, but passenger Brooke Elizabeth Prine, 29, was taken to Salina Regional with possible injury.
A Toyota Corolla was driven by William Clark Lusk, 75, of Grandview, Mo., who was not injured.
All were wearing seat belts.