A couple from Branson, Mo., was taken to Ellsworth County Medical Center following a collision at 2:55 p.m. Wednesday on Interstate 70 in Ellsworth County, after their Dodge Caliber was rear-ended a Toyota Highlander. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Dodge was driven by Mark G. Rice, 66, of Branson, who applied his brakes when the trailer on a tractor-trailer combo ahead of him swung onto the shoulder, kicking up dust and decreasing visibility.
Rice sustained possible injury and passenger Nellie Rice, 64, was injured.
The Toyota was driven by Joan K. Henry, 83, of Hays. She was not injured.
Another accident worked by the Highway Patrol on Wednesday was caused by debris.
The two-vehicle collision occurred at 2:20 p.m. on U.S. 56, 0.6 miles west of 12th Road in Rice County. A Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Nancy J. Small, 49, of Lyons, was eastbound, and a Kenworth pulling a utility trailer, driven by Gregory Anthony Knox, 54, of Richmond, Calif., was westbound when debris hit the windshield. The Trailblazer then hit the debris. Knox was taken to the Lyons hospital. Small was not injured.
All occupants in both accidents were wearing seat belts.