A Lawrence woman who was a secretary at Eudora High School died Wednesday afternoon of injuries suffered in a head-on collision about a mile west of Lawrence on U.S. Highway 40.

Two other people — including the womanâÂÂs infant daughter — were injured in the Wednesday morning crash.

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

Eudora school officials, however, said TishaâÂÂs last name was Downing and that she was a secretary at Eudora High School.

DowningâÂÂs daughter, Francesca Downing, 6 weeks old, was in the 1997 Dodge van Tisha Downing was driving. The baby was taken by Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and released to her father, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Eudora school officials identified the father as Ron Downing of Lawrence.

âÂÂThis is a real shock to everybody,â EHS principal Dale Sample said. âÂÂShe was a great lady.âÂÂ

The accident occurred about 10:20 a.m., when an eastbound 1986 Chevrolet pickup truck crossed into the westbound lane on a hill to pass another vehicle and slammed into DowningâÂÂs westbound vehicle. The crash site was more than a half-mile west of the intersection of U.S. 40 and Kansas Highway 10.

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

Tisha Downing had only worked at the high school since August, Sample and Eudora Schools Supt. Marty Kobza said.

Sample and Kobza declined to say any more Wednesday night about Tisha Downing because they said they hadnâÂÂt yet talked to her family.

No statistics were available late Wednesday from state officials on the frequency of accidents on the twisting, hilly highway that runs from Lawrence to Topeka. There also were no totals available for fatalities this year in Douglas County.

But highway patrol troopers commonly investigate similar accidents on two-lane highways throughout the state, said Patrol 2nd Lt. John Eichkorn.

âÂÂThatâÂÂs why itâÂÂs so important to watch the pavement markers and just donâÂÂt be driving to the left side of the road when you are not supposed to pass,â Eichkorn said.

No information was available Wednesday night about possible charges against Davis.

Assisting the Highway Patrol at the scene were Douglas County SheriffâÂÂs officers, Lawrence Police, and the Wakarusa Township Fire Department.