Jun 18, 2025

4 hospitalized after SUV hydroplanes

Posted Jun 18, 2025 10:00 AM

GEARY COUNTY—Four people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Tuesday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Mitsubishi Outlander driven by Jeffery A.  Jones, 31, Herington, was northbound on U.S. 77 six miles south of Junction City. The SUV hydroplaned and traveled into the south ditch.

EMS transported Jones and passengers 22-year-old Zed A. Bryant, 38 Jennifer L Wangerin-Smith, both of Herington and 31-year-old Derrick J. Hawkes of Manhattan to Stormont Vail - Flint Hills Campus - Junction City. Hawkes was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.