A young woman was killed and another seriously injured in a devastating crash on US Highway 36 early Wednesday morning.
The incident, which took place in Marshall County east of West River Road around 11:45 a.m., sent shockwaves through the surrounding community.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), the accident involved two vehicles traveling in opposite directions. Emily Larson, 23, of Bremen, was driving a westbound Jeep Cherokee when her vehicle crossed the center line and struck an eastbound Buick Enclave head-on. The Buick was driven by Bernice Nietfeld, 89, of Marysville.
Authorities pronounced Larson dead at the scene. Her sudden and tragic death deeply affected her family, friends and the local community, where she was known as a bright young woman with a promising future ahead of her.
Meanwhile, Nietfeld suffered serious injuries in the collision and was rushed to a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, for emergency medical treatment. At the latest reports, he is in critical condition as doctors work around the clock to stabilize him.
Since then, KHP has emphasized the importance of seat belt use to prevent fatalities and minimize injuries in accidents. A preliminary investigation determined that neither Larson nor Nietfeld were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Law enforcement officials emphasized that this may have had a significant impact on the severity of the injuries sustained.
In fact, research consistently shows that seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury for front-seat passengers in cars by 45%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This particular accident is another poignant reminder of the life-saving potential of proper seat belt use.
While the immediate cause of Larson’s vehicle crossing into the oncoming lane is still under investigation, the lack of seat belt use adds a layer of tragedy to the situation, as it could have saved his life or lessened Nietfeld’s injuries.
