Fatality: Car wreck kills one,leaves four hospitalized

A St. Louis girl was killed in a one-vehicle accident around 2:20 a.m. Monday about a mile east of the East Lawrence exit on I-70, according to Kansas Turnpike Authority officials.

Michael Roberts, 33, St. Louis, had been driving a Budget Rent-A-Car Mercury four-door passenger car eastbound when he fell asleep. He then drove off the right side of the road, striking a sign post. The vehicle went down an embankment, through a right-of-way fence and then struck a tree, officials said.

Donisha Rowan, 11, St. Louis, was pronounced dead at the scene. Roberts suffered head injuries and two possible broken legs. He was transported by ambulance to KU Med, Kansas City, Kan., where he was listed in serious condition. Three other passengers, Marquise White, 21, Maryland Heights, Mo., Fredisha Rowan, 13, St. Louis, and Jonisha Rowan, 8, St. Louis, were injured and taken to area hospitals.

Gubernatorial race: Kerr announces Douglas County chairs

Senate President Dave Kerr, a Republican candidate for governor, has named Pam Pennington and Mike Maddox, both of Lawrence, co-chairs of the Kerr campaign in Douglas County.

“Having Pam and Mike join our effort in Douglas County is a big boost to the campaign, and I am truly grateful for their leadership,” said Kerr, a Hutchinson Republican.

Kerr will face Bob Knight, Tim Shallenburger and Dan Bloom in the Aug. 6 Republican primary election. Kerr’s running mate is Mary Birch of Overland Park.

Investigation: Fatal-accident victim in truck reported stolen

A woman killed Saturday night in a traffic accident west of Lawrence was a passenger in a pickup truck that had been reported stolen a week earlier, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said.

The driver of the truck, Adrian P. Keeling, 21, Topeka, was transported by air ambulance to KU Med in Kansas City, Kan. A hospital spokesman Monday said Keeling refused treatment after he arrived and left the hospital.

Sheriff’s officers are still investigating the accident, Lt. Kathy Tate said.

Keeling was driving a blue 1997 Ford F250 truck eastbound on U.S. Highway 40 about six miles west of Lawrence when the truck went off the highway and overturned. The passenger, Syreeta D. Oaks, 19, Topeka, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tate said the truck had been reported stolen from a location in Lawrence but declined to release any other details because of the continuing investigation.

Crime: School vandalized

Several windows were knocked out and an air handling unit was damaged sometime over the weekend at Langston Hughes Elementary School, 1101 George Williams Way, Lawrence Police said.

Six large windows over the school library and two smaller windows elsewhere on the building were damaged. The air handling unit was on the roof, a police report said.

Damage estimates were still being compiled Monday. Police have no suspects and are asking anyone with information to call 843-TIPS and callers remain anonymous.

Gasoline Prices: Pump Patrol seeks deal

The Journal-World has found a gasoline price as low as $1.32 at several stations.

If you find a lower price, call us at 832-7154. Be prepared to leave the name and address of the business and the price.