Woman killed, two injured in U.S. 40 head-on collision

A Lawrence woman died after she was injured Wednesday morning in a head-on collision about a mile west of Lawrence on U.S. Highway 40.

Two other people were injured, including an infant.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the fatality victim as Tisha L. Rheuport, 31. She was taken by air ambulance to KU Med, Kansas City, Kan., where she later died, patrol dispatchers said.

A 6-week-old girl who was a passenger in the 1997 Dodge van Rheuport was driving was taken by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The girl, Francesca Downing, Lawrence, was treated and released, a hospital spokeswoman said.

A Highway Patrol report said the accident occurred about 10:20 a.m. when a 1986 Chevrolet pickup truck traveling eastbound crossed into the westbound lane while trying to pass another vehicle. Rheuport was driving westbound.

Charley R. Davis, 18, Topeka, driver of the pickup, also was injured. A second helicopter called to the scene took Davis to KU Med where he was in fair condition Wednesday night, a spokesman said.


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