3 kids injured in crash; 2 airlifted
Staff writer
A one-vehicle rollover crash injured three juveniles Monday afternoon at 190th and Quail Creek Rds.
Sheriff Jeff Soyez wrote in a news release that emergency responders airlifted two occupants of the car by helicopter to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita and transported a third to a local hospital.
The crash occurred about 3:05 p.m.
“No other information is being released at this time due to an ongoing investigation,” Soyez wrote.
The car appeared to have crashed into a culvert at the intersection.
Two of the victims were airlifted by helicopters to Wesley more than an hour after the initial call. Monitored radio transmissions did not indicate how the third person was taken to a hospital.
With Hillsboro ambulance tied up on a call near Goessel, Marion and Tampa ambulances were dispatched to the accident. Marion ambulance arrived within six minutes, but Tampa ambulance did not arrive until 32 minutes after the initial call. The county ambulance director was available on scene, however.
The first helicopter had radio problems and had to contact a Marion firefighter via his personal cell phone. That helicopter arrived at 3:44 p.m.; the second, at 4:14 p.m. The first lifted off shortly thereafter; the second, at 4:37 p.m. The trip to Wesley reportedly took 15 minutes.
After cleanup, Marion ambulance was back in service at 5:24 p.m. Tampa ambulance returned to its station at 5:40 p.m.
Wesley would not release patient condition information Tuesday.
The driver was a juvenile — reportedly a high school freshmen — and the other two juveniles reportedly were his younger sisters. School was not in session Monday in Marion.
Driver’s license rules for juveniles vary.
Drivers with instruction permits who are ages 14, 15, 16, and 17 must have a licensed adult at least 21 years old in the front seat at all times.
Drivers with farm permits who are 14 or 15 years old are allowed to drive to or from a farm job; to or from school; or anytime and anywhere with a licensed adult. They can’t transport any non-sibling minor passengers.
Drivers with farm permits who are 16 years old can drive anywhere from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; anytime to or from a farm job; anytime going to or from authorized school activities; directly to or from any religious activity; or anytime and anywhere with a licensed adult. They can drive no more than one non-sibling passenger younger than age 18.
Juveniles age 15 with restricted driver’s licenses can drive to and from work or school, to church or anytime and anywhere with a licensed adult. At age 16, they can drive anywhere from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in addition to the above.
Restrictions on cell phone use with the exception of reporting an illegal activity or calling for help also apply for certain types of licenses.
Last modified March 8, 2023