Accidents on turnpike send seven people to hospitals

Seven people were taken to area hospitals Tuesday after an accident led to another accident on the Kansas Turnpike.

At 4:07 p.m., Theodore G. Urbanek, 18, Ellsworth, was eastbound on Interstate 70, about 2 miles east of the Lecompton interchange, when he lost control and struck the center barrier wall, a turnpike dispatcher said. Urbanek’s 1995 Dodge ended up blocking part of the passing lane.

Three minutes later, a 1990 Nissan driven by Angela M. Fuller, 22, Topeka, broadsided Urbanek’s car, the dispatcher said.

Urbanek and his two passengers Crystal A. Kramer, 21, Manhattan, and Glen R. McMurray, 19, Pretty Prairie were injured in the second accident. They were transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, where they were treated and released.

Fuller and passenger Ashley R. Holmes, 16, Topeka, were taken to Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. They were in fair condition late Tuesday. Two other passengers in Fuller’s car Jennifer Anderson, 23, Topeka, and Ava Stewart, 16, Topeka were transported to LMH. Stewart was treated and released. Anderson was in fair condition late Tuesday.

In the above photo, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical personnel respond at the accident scene.

Ice storm aftermath: State, federal officials warn of disaster recovery scams

Kansans who need help repairing damage or removing debris caused by the recent ice storm should be careful when hiring contractors, state and federal disaster recovery officials warn.

Scam artists often say they are “FEMA certified” or “FEMA approved,” but the Federal Emergency Management Agency does not certify or endorse private-sector contractors.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office offers the following suggestions to disaster victims:

Use reliable licensed contractors and hire locally if possible.

Get a written estimate.

Check references.

Get proof of insurance.

Ask for a written contract.

Pay by check, not cash.

Have work inspected by city building inspectors.

If necessary, cancel a contract within three business days of signing, being sure to follow contract cancellation clauses. Send notification of cancellation by registered mail.

If you’re having problems with a contractor or have been a victim of fraud, call the attorney general’s consumer protection division at (800) 432-2310.

Fatal accident: Car wreck in Kansas City fatal to former KU student

A former Kansas University student was among three people killed in a fiery crash early Tuesday in south Kansas City, police said.

Laticia Annette Naylor, 23, originally from Victoria, Va., died after another car ran a red light at a high rate of speed and collided head-on with her car, Kansas City Police Officer Bob Murphy said.

Naylor was a student in KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from 1996 to 1998, university spokesman Todd Cohen said.

Two of the three occupants in the car that ran the light also were killed.

The occupants of the car that ran the light were identified as Russell K. Reed, 27, who was driving, and passenger Norma E. Clark, 16. Both were killed.

The passenger who survived was Crystal McClam, 19.

All four victims were from Kansas City.

Free State High School: Orchestra to give concert

The Free State High School orchestra will present a Concerto Concert at 7:30 p.m. today in the high school’s auditorium.

Soloists are Annie Kettle, junior, playing the first movement of Mozart’s “Concert in E Flat for French Horn”; Robert Weinaug, junior, playing the final movement of Goltermann’s “Concerto No. 4 for Cello”; and Eric Southard, senior, playing the first movement of Horovitz’s “Concerto for Euphonium.”

The Free State Chamber Choir, directed by Pam Bushouse, will perform as well.