A two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 50, one mile east of Peabody, claimed the lives of two people and seriously injured a third about 7 p.m. April 1 when a car sideswiped a semi-trailer, according to Kansas Highway Patrol officials.
Markus L. Ivy, 37, the driver of a 2006 Saturn, and Sarah M. Esgro, 32, one of the passengers, both of Wichita, died at the scene. The third passenger, Owen L. Nave, 30, also of Wichita, was taken to Wesley Medical Center, Wichita. As of Monday, he was still in critical condition, a hospital official said.
The driver of the 2005 Freightliner semi-truck, Michael J. Dorrian, 64, of Savage, Minn., was not injured in the accident.
A KHP spokesperson said the Saturn was westbound on U.S. 50 and the semi was eastbound.
The collision happened when Ivy, driving the Saturn, crossed the center line for unknown reasons, sideswiping the semi, officials said.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts, but the two passengers in the Saturn were not, authorities said.
Rescue trucks from Peabody and Florence emergency services responded.