A three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on U.S. 281 near the intersection of 90 Road stopped traffic about an hour and sent three drivers to Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir reports the injury accident occurred around 7:33 a.m. and the injuries appeared to be “non-life-threatening.”

Upon arrival, deputies found a vehicle rolled over in the roadway with one occupant pinned inside. Two other vehicles were in the area with heavy damage, Bellendir stated in a news release.

Investigation at the scene indicates that a white Pontiac G6 operated by Devon Hiner of Great Bend had stopped to make a left-hand turn onto 90 Road. A second vehicle, a gray Honda Accord operated by Eric Murphy of Great Bend had stopped behind the Pontiac. A third vehicle, a white Chevy Tahoe driven by Loretta Russell of Great Bend struck the rear of the Honda and became airborne. The Tahoe inverted while airborne, landing on the front vehicle, the Pontiac, while it was making the turn. The Tahoe then came to rest on its roof in the middle of U.S. 281. Russell was pinned inside the vehicle for about 20 minutes while Hoisington Fire Department and EMS service extracted her from the vehicle. Three juveniles that were in the Russell vehicle were properly restrained in car seats and not injured.

All three drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. 

U.S. 281 was closed for a little more than an hour. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Hoisington Fire Department and EMS service and the Hoisington Police Department, as well as the Kansas Department of Transportation for traffic control.