Two Monday morning crashes on rural Barton County highways left multiple people with what were described as severe injuries.

In the first, at around 6:45 a.m., Barton County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of K-96 and Main Street in the town of Albert. According to BCSO investigation at the scene, a 2015 Jeep Cherokee driven by Mandy Crider of Albert turning south onto Main Street from westbound K-96, and turned directly into the path of an eastbound 2013 Chevy Cruze driven by Kaitlyn Murphy of Otis. Both vehicles sustained major damage. Albert and Great Bend EMS crews responded and both drivers were transported to the University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus with severe, but not life-threatening, injuries. BCSO was assisted at the scene by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Then, shortly before 8 a.m., BCSO deputies responded to a second report of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 281 and NE 30 Road, about 2 miles north of Great Bend. According to a report from BSCO Detective Alex Lomas, witness statements at the scene determined a 2016 Chevy Malibu driven by John Szot was stopped at the stop sign on NE 30 Road facing west. 

Reports indicate Szot failed to yield right of way at the sop sign and attempted to turn southbound onto U.S. 281. At that time, Szot’s vehicle was struck by a 2009 Nissan Rogue traveling northbound on U.S. 281. As the vehicles collided, both traveled into the west ditch on U.S. 281. 

The driver of the Rogue was not identified in the report; however, a passenger in the vehicle was transported to UKHS - Great Bend Campus due to injuries sustained in the crash. A second passenger, a 6-month old infant, was not injured in the crash.

Both vehicles in the U.S. 281 crash were removed by Marshall’s Towing of Great Bend.