One person is dead, and three children are injured after a crash on the Kansas turnpike Monday afternoon. The Kansas Highway Patrol says troopers were notified of an erratic driver on the turnpike between Emporia and the Emporia service area.
The caller told KHP they saw the van weaving through traffic, as well as speeding up and slowing down, before leaving the highway, hitting a tree, and catching fire. The caller reported to KHP that they ran to the car and pulled the three children, an 8-year-old, a 5-year-old and a 3-year-old, from the car. Upon arrival at the scene, a trooper and the caller attempted to pull the driver from the van but were unsuccessful due to the fire.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The 8-year-old was taken in critical condition to a children's hospital in Kansas City, the 5-year-old was taken in critical condition to a hospital in Wichita, and the 3-year-old was taken in serious condition to a hospital in Emporia. Names have not been released.
