Two people — including a Kansas University graduate student — were killed and another KU graduate student was critically injured in a three-vehicle accident late Monday afternoon on U.S. Highway 40 about four miles west of Lawrence.

The two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, near where U.S. 40 intersects with East 800 Road.

The accident occurred about 5 p.m. Monday.

According to a Kansas Highway Patrol report, the victims, both from Lawrence, were Jesse E. Blake, 24, and Chantal E. Anderson, 25, a KU graduate student. Jonathan P. Merz, 24, also a KU graduate student, was transported to KU Med by air ambulance.

Anderson, a 2002 graduate of KU’s school of education, was a graduate student in the health, sport and exercise sciences department.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway released the following statement: “On behalf of the entire KU community, I want to express my profound sorrow at the death of Chantal Anderson. This tragic accident fills us with sadness, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.”

Blake, Anderson and Merz were passengers in a 2000 Honda Civic that was struck by a 1986 Ford truck driven east on U.S. 40 by Robert E. Russell, 52, Baldwin. The Honda was then struck by a 2002 Dodge truck driven west on U.S. 40 by Phillip J. Vannicola, 45, Lecompton.

The report said the Honda appeared to be stopped in the road when it was first struck by the Ford. Russell and Vannicola were transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Hospital condition reports for the three were not available early today.

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