Woman, two boys die in collision between pickup, semi on U.S. 54
Authorities have identified a woman and two children who died Wednesday after a pickup collided with a semi along U.S. 54 in south central Kansas.
They were identified as 68-year-old Teresa Davis, 13-year-old Travis Welch and 10-year-old Hunter Welch, all from Meade, Kansas Highway Patrol crash logs show. All three died at the scene.
The accident was reported at 3:56 p.m. along U.S. 54, roughly one mile east of Mullinville and 9 miles west of Greensburg in Kiowa County. Davis, in a 2000 Ford F-150, was driving west in the eastbound lane of U.S. 54, according to the KHP. The semi was heading east in the eastbound lane.
The semi truck drove left of the center line to avoid the pickup, but the Ford re-entered the westbound lane and collided with the semi, the crash log said.
The 22-year-old Sunnyvale, California man driving the semi was not injured. Both directions of U.S. 54 were closed for several hours. The highway has since reopened.
Both the boys were students in Fowler USD 225. The school district released a statement mourning the two.
“It is with immense sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic loss of two of our beloved elementary students,” the statement said. “Travis and Hunter Welch, earlier today in a car accident. Our entire school district community is grieving this devastating news, and our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of these precious children during this incredibly difficult time.”
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 6:21 PM.