By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

RICE COUNTY — A Lyons High School football player is listed in critical condition at a Wichita hospital with injuries sustained in a traffic-related accident Sunday two miles south of Lyons, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
The five teenagers reported at the scene are Lyons High School students.
Austin Hoffman, 16, was transported to Wesley Medical Center, with injuries after being struck by a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer operated by Lyons’ Ashlyn Troyer, 16, according to the accident report.
The patrol reports the Mountaineer was originally driven by Hoffman eastbound on Avenue P near 15th Road two miles south of Lyons.
After Hoffman exited the vehicle for an undetermined reason, he was struck by the vehicle when Troyer moved into the driver’s seat and drove the vehicle forward, according to the patrol. Rice County EMS and Rice County deputies also responded to the accident.
Patrolman Michael Farmer, KHP, said Hoffman was crouched down out of sight after leaving the vehicle.
“It was a freak accident,” he said. “They were friends acting silly. He hid in front of the vehicle and she hit him with the vehicle.”
Farmer said it’s possible a traffic citation could be filed against Troyer.  Troyer was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP. The vehicle was removed by Lyons Wrecker Service to a tow lot.
Troyer and three other teenagers at the scene were not injured. Other witnesses were 17-year-old Jesse Hursey, a Lyons High football player; and two volleyball players — 16-year-old Jessikah Smith; and 16-year-old Kathryn Marshall,  all of Lyons.
Lyons school officials visited Wesley Medical Center Monday. Counselors were made available at Lyons High School for students who needed to talk to someone.