Two people were killed and three were seriously injured in a head-on crash Saturday in Clay County

CLAY CENTER, Kan. (WIBW) – Two people were killed and three others were seriously injured in a head-on crash Saturday afternoon in Clay County, authorities said.

The crash was reported at 3:55 p.m. Saturday on US-24 Highway about 7 miles west of Clay Center.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2001 Ford Ranger pickup was traveling eastbound on US-24 when, for an unknown reason, it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a westbound 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan.

Following the collision, the northbound Ford pickup came to rest in the north ditch, while the Toyota on its passenger side came to rest westbound in the south ditch.

Two passengers in the Toyota were pronounced dead at the scene.

They were identified as Robert M. McCollum, 72, and Alma J. Wright, 79, both of Gardner. The patrol said none of the fatalities were wearing seatbelts.

A woman who was a passenger in the Toyota was taken to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with serious injuries. The patrol identified that person as Sharmen S. McColum, 55, of Gardner. The patrol’s online accident log did not indicate whether she was wearing a seatbelt.

Another passenger in the Toyota was also taken to Stormont Vail Hospital with serious injuries. That person was identified as Gary W. Wright, 80, of Gardner. The patrol’s online accident log did not indicate whether he was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Toyota minivan, Jonathan L. Wright, 47, of Shawnee, was reported uninjured. The patrol said he was wearing a seatbelt.

The driver of the Ford pickup, Richard T. Jackson, 18, of Clay Center, was transported to Salina Regional Health Center with serious injuries. The patrol said Jackson, who was alone in the truck, was wearing a seatbelt.

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