Crete, Neb. ? Ice and slush were blamed for a Saturday afternoon accident that killed a Kansas woman.

Police said a northbound car apparently slid out of control on Nebraska Highway 103 on the south edge of town and collided with a southbound vehicle, killing passenger Betty Gerhardt, 72, of Holton, Kan.

Lt. Jeff Good said Gerhardt was not wearing a seat belt in the 1:23 p.m. accident and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police were continuing to investigate the accident, he said.

The death brought the number of people killed this year on Nebraska roads to 57, compared with 27 by March 9, 2001.