Head-on collision on Kansas highway leaves one teen dead, three people injured
A 19-year-old Wisconsin man was killed in a head-on collision Thursday in Kiowa County.
He was identified as 19-year-old Jaidyn Barz of New Berlin, Wisconsin, Kansas Highway Patrol crash logs show.
The accident was reported around 7:32 a.m. along U.S. 54 about 14 miles east of Greensburg. Barz was one of three occupants in a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe that was being driven by 18-year-old Jesse Hall of Wisconsin, the report said.
The Tahoe was heading west on U.S. 54 behind a semi truck when the semi came to a stop. In order to avoid the truck, the Tahoe crossed the center line into the eastbound lane, the log said.
The Tahoe continued driving across the eastbound lane and onto the south shoulder. A 2006 Chrysler Pacifica being driven by 19-year-old Cody Metz of Washington, Kansas was eastbound on U.S. 54 and attempted to avoid the Tahoe by driving onto the south shoulder, according to the report.
The Tahoe and the Pacifica collided in the south shoulder. Barz was pronounced dead at the scene, the log said.
Hall was taken to Via Christi in Wichita with suspected serious injuries. The other passenger in the Tahoe, 19-year-old Jonathan Gajeuski of Wisconsin, was taken to Kiowa County Memorial Hospital in Greensburg for minor injuries, the report said.
Metz was taken to Pratt Regional Medical Center for suspected serious injuries, the log said.