134th and Meriden Road
Two children were killed in a car crash on 134th and Meriden in Jefferson County on Wednesday, July 28, 2010.
Two children were killed in a car crash on 134th and Meriden in Jefferson County on Wednesday, July 28, 2010.
Two children were killed and three people — including another child — were injured in a car accident in rural Jefferson County on Wednesday morning.
A1996 Oldsmobile was traveling eastbound on 134th Street when it failed to yield to a 2002 Chevy TrailBlazer, which was traveling southbound on Meriden Road just before 8 a.m., a Kansas Highway Patrol report said.
The TrailBlazer struck the driver's side of the Oldsmobile, killing Katelynn Spencer, 8, and Alissa Spencer, 5, both of Meriden.
Madelynn Spencer, 4, was taken to Children's Mercy Hospital with critical injuries via LifeStar helicopter. The driver of the Oldsmobile, Stephanie Spencer, 33, was taken to Stormont Vail in serious condition, also via helicopter.
According to KHP, no one in the Oldsmobile was wearing a seat belt.
The driver of the TrailBlazer, Robert Hutchins, 27, of Valley Falls, was taken to Stormont Vail with non-life threatening injuries.
Officials at the scene said weeds growing near the intersection may have created a blind spot for drivers. Witnesses said the Oldsmobile did stop at the stop sign at the intersection and investigators found evidence at the scene to support those reports. Meriden Road does not have a stop sign at the intersection.
Comments
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rodentgirl16 (anonymous) says…
This makes me sick to my stomach. How awful!
countrygirl (anonymous) replies…
Me too.
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
What bothers me is the LJW prints this kind of stuff for the purpose of sensationalism and shock. Wihtout any details this will make every father, brother sister aunt uncle etc worry if this may be their loved ones. Why try to beat everyone to the punch with such minimal details? I feel horible for the person who reads this and has thoughts it may be his wife and daughter or son. What is the purpose LJW?
Shockem211 (anonymous) replies…
I instantly sent my sister a text to make sure it wasn't her and my niece. This is of course after my heart sank. My sympathies to the family members of these victims.
none2 (anonymous) replies…
So you are saying that Topeka & KC media never rush to get a story out?
I'm sorry,but I'm not impressed by KC nor Topeka. Considering how much smaller the Lawrence market is, I think the LJWorld is going a great job.
OonlyBonly (anonymous) replies…
Because this is news and it gives those who think someone they love or know might be involved the opportunity to start checking before getting the dreaded call. As you should well know names can't be released until next of kin is notified.
SFBayhawk (anonymous) says…
Ejected? No seat belts.
imastinker (anonymous) replies…
Yes, very sad.
Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) replies…
Driving pretty fast too, eh?
countrygirl (anonymous) says…
Oh man. Please care enough about your children to be sure they are safely buckled in.
greenworld (anonymous) says…
Topeka paper always gets names and ages before the lawrence paper does.
none2 (anonymous) replies…
"Always"??? Actually, that isn't true. I remember just a couple of weeks ago, there was another story where posters were praising every area paper but the LJWorld. So I thought I'd head over to the Topeka online paper. Didn't see one bit of of more info on that story in the Topeka paper.
It strikes me that some people want to fall for the old saying that the grass is greener on the other side.
allamerican4ever (anonymous) replies…
topeka chases the ambulance on scooters ljw still has bicycle
fisherman07 (anonymous) says…
Rip kids. Hope the other child and driver make it. Scary world we live in. Careful out there. Hope all familes involved know our prayers are with you. ~R
timster (anonymous) replies…
Thank You foe your thoughts, so far the little girl is alive but we dont know the damage done to her brain they say she did die on route but they revived her and have her at childrens mercy on life support so its hour by hour, the mother is in stormont vail on life support so the father is back and forth mostly staying with daughter but we all are taking turns visiting both, we have had our bad luck my son was killed in auto accident last year also, but alll our prayers go to chad and Stephanie.
jchristine2 (anonymous) says…
Please drive carefully!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC2SBX...
fisherman07 (anonymous) says…
Buckle up people......
sassypants (anonymous) says…
"Officials at the scene said weeds growing near the intersection may have created a blind spot for drivers." You mean cornfield.
I hate it when you are at an intersection and cant see because of the corn that is 6-8 ft tall. Farmers should be required to omit a few rows where intersections are.
My Prayers to all involved.
countrygirl (anonymous) replies…
This says weeds, not crops. And that's still no excuse for running a stop sign even out in the country.
jackpot (anonymous) replies…
Reread the story and post WHO ran the stop sign. The olds did stop and the southbound blazer did not have a stop sign.
Pywacket (anonymous) replies…
Doesn't sound like anybody ran the stop sign, countrygirl. It says the only driver who had a stop sign did stop--then proceeded, apparently not seeing the oncoming vehicle (which did not have a sign). Perhaps you posted before the article was fleshed out... I'm just getting here at 1:20 pm. Shocking and tragic.
Sassy, farmers usually do leave a broad swath of unplanted ground near the roads. I don't know what the laws say, but I can't recall ever having seen corn or sorghum or anything growing clear out to the roadway. Not saying it doesn't happen, but I don't think they generally do that. Among other reasons, they need room to maneuver their combines & other machinery. Beyond that--the article does say weeds, not corn, so it's a moot point here.
OonlyBonly (anonymous) replies…
Jackpot. Yesterday the paper reported the Oldsmobile did NOT stop. The article has been revised since original posting probably due to an update from law enforcement or witnesses.....
jackpot (anonymous) replies…
I posted before the update story read at that time Olds HAD stopped. Maybe from the 12:26 p.m. and my post the story was changed.
timster (anonymous) replies…
No she did not run the stop sign her view was blocked so she pulled out to see and boom it was to late. the child that did survive is in children s mercy and the mother is in stormont vail. and Yes I am related to them all. Timster
bd (anonymous) says…
Very sad indeed!
weeds(corn) is not the issue, they should not have ran the stop sign!
We all need to slow down!
LoveThsLife (anonymous) replies…
bd the article states that no one ran a stop sign. The Oldsmobile stopped, but the view was obstructed by weeds. The other vehicle didn't have a stop sign.
So in fact, weeds could be a factoring issue if they obstructed the driver's view.
fisherman07 (anonymous) says…
I agree. Buckle up and slow down such a waste of life over a few minutes late or something...
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
HOw sad!!
raerae (anonymous) says…
Check the link:
"Witnesses told investigators that the Oldsmobile did stop at the intersection. Investigators also found physical evidence at the scene that the Oldsmobile did come to a stop. "
Editor, please!
wmathews (Whitney Mathews) replies…
The story has been updated to reflect the change. Thanks for catching it.
Whitney Mathews
Online Editor
raerae (anonymous) replies…
Thank you, Whitney.
MacHeath (anonymous) says…
I love tooling around on country roads, but you have to watch the intersections, stop signs or not.
Condolences to all involved. Very bad deal.
davidmcg (anonymous) says…
I called this in to LJ World this morning at 07:51AM when it happened. The woman that answered didn't seem interested. When I called back about 25 minutes later to tell her that there were 2 fatalities and a funeral home contacted, family had been notified, and where the 2 helicopters and ambulances were headed, she again did not seem interested. Never asked me on question either time I called. After my second call I emailed the managing editor. No reply yet. It took LJ World how long to post this information, 3 hours? LJ World not ready for prime time? Sure seems like it sometimes.
none2 (anonymous) replies…
Hopefully, the editor will respond to your comment. What you are saying, does seem very unprofessional.
jkealing (Jonathan Kealing) replies…
Hi David--
You talked to Whitney Mathews, our online editor, who immediately discussed the situation with me. She'd tried to get Jefferson County emergency dispatchers and law enforcement to confirm what you'd reported, but they declined to do so. So, with nothing but an unknown caller telling us of an accident, we had no choice but to wait. It would be irresponsible to report a deadly accident just based on some person's word.
This accident happened outside our traditional coverage area, probably an hour's drive from Lawrence. We just don't have the resources to cover everything, so we rely on our news partners — in this case the journalists at KTKA in Topeka to confirm the story. The first version of the story was posted at 10:33 a.m.
Jonathan Kealing
davidmcg (anonymous) replies…
OK Jonathen, with your reply, next time I have a news tip I'll just call KTKA and tell them. By your response should I take it that you guys do not have scanners in your news room? If so, your newspaper would be the first that I have ever heard of that does not. But even so, the information from a scanner alone could not be used solely as a source. But you called JFCO dispatch and they were so busy they couldn't confirm or deny? I would say yes, in such a situation that they were busy. But did you try to call Life Flight, or Life Eagle or Life Net? I told her they had 2 helicopters enroute. Did you call KHP? Everybody knows that KHP responds to 90% of all traffic fatalities, especially when it involves ejections and children. Also, it is not an hour drive from Lawrence, maybe 45 minutes at best and this is after all in a county that borders your city and Lawrence is a business destination for roughly half of this county. Two and a half hours to confirm? Sorry, your response is not adequate.
justchuck (anonymous) says…
this is horrifying. What does a parent do when they lose a child let alone two and has a third in critical condition? i can't even imagine. R.I.P. small lovely children. And thoughts to the family
timster (anonymous) replies…
thank you very much for your thoughts, I will pass them along to the other family members, and yes its tough to lose your child and possibly your family. I lost my son in an auto accident last year and now we have more kids lost my family is getting smaller not bigger and there is question not being answered, I am a Pastor but it makes you kind of distant when things like this happen.
solitude518 (anonymous) says…
God Bless this family..such a horrible loss.
redmorgan (anonymous) says…
My heart just sank when I read this headline. I will have to hug and kiss my child a few extra times today.
Poor family...my thoughts and prayers are with them.
LoveThsLife (anonymous) says…
This is horrible. My thoughts are with all involved and their family members.
Dejacrew423 (anonymous) says…
This is absolutely horrible... my thoughts and prayers go out to all parties involved and their families. Do we know the ages of the victims? I know personal information may not be able to be given out yet but I was just curious on the non-specifics. I will be thinking of these families and praying for the recovery of the victims who are still alive.
onlymee (anonymous) says…
www.ktka.com ,it gives everyones name involved,,god bless all involved
LoveThsLife (anonymous) replies…
I just read the link. How horrible. Those kids should have been buckled up and some of them were young enough that they should have been in booster seats.
Buckle up!
WhiteDog (anonymous) says…
I am sad and angry in equal measures. Two of the three children should have been in booster seats, and all three should have been in seatbelts. None of them were, and they all ended up ejected from their vehicle.
The vegetation at the intersection is not to blame here. That lies firmly on the mother's shoulders. Her true punishment will be, of course, that she is responsible for her children's deaths and injuries and she'll have to live with that her whole life. But she needs to be charged criminally as well.
cheeseburger (anonymous) replies…
Well said.
fisherman07 (anonymous) replies…
well said. The punishment (if any) that the courts could give her will never campare to the life sentence she has. Im angry and sad.... I only can hope the other child makes it and the driver pulls through. RIP
Pywacket (anonymous) replies…
Agreed. Deeply sorry for all concerned, but it sounds like it may have been entirely preventable. If you're at an intersection where there's a blind spot from vegetation, do you just proceed or do you creep forward to a point at which you can see? Or even roll down your window and listen for something coming? On those gravel roads, a vehicle going at or near the limit would be audible to someone at a stop sign if they listened.
As for anyone who would transport children without booster seats, safety belts, or whatever is age appropriate, I am just incredulous.
LoveThsLife (anonymous) says…
I've worked with kids who have had extensive brain injury due to being ejected out of vehicle. I hope the 4 year old heals okay...that's a long and very difficult road to go.
mommylovesyou (anonymous) says…
I completely agree with WhiteDog. I am very saddened to here about these two little children losing their lives. My prayers are with this family. As far as the mother, my heart goes out for her, two of her babies are gone.
But I also have to agree that there should be charges filed. There are to many children not wearing seatbelts. It is strictly the parents responsibility to make sure that their children are safe and buckled up before leaving. Letting this mother go without any charges, is telling the country that is alright not to buckle your kids up. Please, anyone reading this article, if you have children, next time you put them in the car buckle them up!
Again, my prayers are with this family!
artichokeheart (anonymous) says…
So sad. There is always time to buckle up.
fisherman07 (anonymous) says…
One moment of doubt casued a lifetime of hurt.. Buckle your kids up people, duct tape them if you have to. (not really) but be safe and smart. Preventable deaths.... Prayers to all envolved.
Starlight (anonymous) says…
WhiteDog beat me to it. Too bad the woman's severest punishment will be a lifetime of knowing her reckless endangerment of her children led to their deaths. Sad and preventable and difficult to believe it's still so common.
PopcoRN (anonymous) says…
Sad. Angry. This shouldn't have happened.
I'm so sorry for all the surviving family members for this devastating loss.
I've seen at least 3 children not buckled in recently (three separate incidents). So frustrating.
none2 (anonymous) says…
I feel sorry for the family. No one should die before their time -- especially little children.
I have to say that I can understand the anger when there is a death, but why direct it at the mother? She will have to live with this for the rest of her life. What are the odds that any other even will ever come close to affecting her like this has? Assuming she and the littlest girl survives and get well, imagine what will go through her mind every time she sees other little girls that remind her of her other two daughters?
I'm not excusing mistakes, but when you think of all the things parents need to think about every second of the day and night to protect their children, I guess I don't feel it in me to judge her.
cheeseburger (anonymous) replies…
You and I agree on many things, but not on this one. Two little girls are dead because a parent was irresponsible and apparently did not provide appropriate child seats or booster seats and did not see to it that they were properly buckled in. Kids are dependent upon parents, and when a parent behaves in a negligent and reckless manner, they must be held accountable. I would feel similarly if a crash occurred after she had been drinking or using drugs.
I understand this will haunt her for the rest of her life, but those girls were depending on her, and she failed them miserably. Her negligence must not go unpunished.
Number_1_Grandma (anonymous) says…
Unless they have changed the story....I see no where about kids being ejected. To put blame on a parent during a tragedy of losing two small children is coldhearted at best. My thoughts are with the family during this terrible time.
Azure_Attitude (anonymous) replies…
Madam, that is where the blame lies! I, too, am sorry for her loss but she herself failed to exercise the diligence necessary to safely transport her children. I would never forgive myself if I were her, though I don't think I would be in her position as my children, or any children riding in my car for that matter, are required to be buckled in. It is quite possible that all of her chilred would have survived if properly restrained and if not, at least she would know she did at least buckled them in.
However, my sorrow for the family is overrident by my anger toward the mother. How could any mother be so irresponsible as to not have their children be in a car seat or buckled in? Elvis H. Presley! They give car seats away all the time to people in need. Thoughtless on her part, just thoughtless!
cheeseburger (anonymous) replies…
They have changed the story. Initially, it was reported that all three girls and the mother were ejected.
kernal (anonymous) says…
Although some think charges should be filed against the mother, I would think the death of two of her children is punishment enough.
thepianoman (anonymous) says…
LJWorld, you have done a terrible job reporting this story. I am so freaking confused about what happened. What sloppy, incompetent reporting you have done. Focus on getting the facts straight rather than being the first to post it.
This is inexcusable.
Kontum1972 (anonymous) says…
"STOP" signs mean nothing...."crossing guards" during school season mean nothing....
but kill someone...then the reality comes thru....then it is too late....
come up on Kasold and catch the races, when a person is in the crosswalk cars enter the intersection slowly creeping up as the person is crossing and once that person has move out of that lane the car whizzes by...
SoS folks.
I am sadden by the loss of these children. :-((
Dejacrew423 (anonymous) says…
I just can't stop thinking about this accident. I just want to cry and my heart aches so deeply for this mother and their family. This really hit close to home with me. My oldest daughter is 5 and about 6 months ago both my daughters age 5 and 3 years old were riding in a truck with their grandpa on a gravel road to my in-laws house when they were T-boned at an intersection that had no stop signs. It was right around sunset, both vehicles were totaled. Everyone in the truck were pinned in by the other vehicle and a wooden post. They had to rip the door off to get them out. Luckily my babies were in their car seats and both grown-ups involved were wearing their seat belts. The worse injury was an ugly bruise on my oldest daughters arm. But I can't stop sitting here and thinking about how lucky we were and what a horrible loss this family is going through. I just wish there was something I could do for this family when I know there's not a lot anyone can do or say.
Is there an update on the youngest child? I've heard things but was wondering if there was something official. I will keep praying for this family and pray for the other driver. I'm sure he's going through a lot right now emotionally also even when there may have been nothing he could have done.
purplesage (anonymous) says…
Meriden Road is K-4; unless distracted, I doubt she ran the stop sign as we sometimes see out in the country "where no one is coming anyhow." I wonder if Jefferson County or KDOT need to get on the stick and mow and cut down trees. I did see that crops had been cut back at Midland Junction where a similar obstruction occurred.
I lament the loss of life, especially because little ones were killed. A family has been decimated in any instant - a reminder of the fragile nature of life. I hope and pray the mother and remaining daughter recover physically and know there will be wounds of the heart which will always be with the family as well as the SUV's driver.
By the way, channel 6, the individual you identify as Tim McCool, KHP is actually Sheriff Jeff Herrig.
purplesage (anonymous) says…
WhiteDog - How unbelievably insensitive. The woman has lost 2 of her children. We haven't read about the dad yet, or the grandparents. Isn't this punishment enough. Charged criminally - how about a little compassion? If she survives, the question of whether the children may have lived because of a seat belt / restraint seat will ALWAYS be with her. What you you do? Lock her up and take her away from the other daughter, if she survives?
Pywacket (anonymous) replies…
I don't think WhiteDog is out of line. This is one of those agonizing decisions for society--do you charge someone with criminal negligence in any circumstances? After all, the intentions were innocent when Mom drove the kids w/o seatbelts---or Grandpa fell asleep in the armchair with a lit cigarette and the grandkids died in the fire--or Dad took the kids boating without life jackets and they drowned when a sudden storm blew up. Do we just drop all negligence charges and just focus on "intentional" crimes?
What if someone's negligent actions cause the deaths or maiming of someone else's children? What if she had been babysitting YOUR children and transported them with no safety seats or seatbelts? Then, what if, knowing the kids were loose in the car, she proceeded into a blind intersection without listening for any vehicles she might not be able to see?
If you were burying your own child because of another person's profound negligence would you be so quick to call her critics "heartless"? And should she be prosecuted because the ensuing grief was not primarily her own? Should the way we deal with this kind of lapse depend on who is killed or maimed?
I'm not trying to be facetious--I'm asking serious questions. There probably aren't any "right" answers. But I don't think that people who favor cracking down on "negligence" (or ignorance or laziness or whatever you want to call it) are heartless at all. They are frustrated by people who endanger precious lives when they should know better and who shatter the lives of the not-at-fault drivers, who will likely forever be haunted by the carnage they were powerless to avert.
A jail term would probably not be efficacious, but (should she survive) education certainly seems in line before she ever gets behind the wheel again. At the very least, the publicity from a hearing or trial might catch the attention of some of the other drivers out there who transport their most precious cargo making no effort to safely secure them. It might be worth it for prosecutors to pursue this if the end result is the avoidance of other needless horrific deaths of innocent and trusting children. If that view makes me heartless in your eyes, so be it.
timster (anonymous) says…
thank you for your blessings I will pass them on to the other family members.
timster (anonymous) says…
thank you for your blessings I will pass them on to the other family members.
timster (anonymous) says…
thank you for your blessings I will pass them on to the other family members. if any one would like to have more information or contribute to a memorial fund you can contact me at timnpam@wildblue.net I am related to the family and see the father daily so I will pass on any prayers.
nanimwe (anonymous) says…
I thought the new seat belt law was supposed to eliminate this kind of tragedy... So much for legislation actually working.
Starlight (anonymous) says…
Laws don't work unless they're enforced. Had this woman been criminally charged before this incident perhaps her children would still be alive(that is if the fine had actually induced her to safely transport her children after that). purplesage there's nothing insensitive about pointing out criminal reckless endangerment of children, especially if it's their mother.
What, are you one of those imbeciles who drive down the road with an infant in their lap?? Need a little extra cushion between you and the steering wheel? This behavior especially incenses me. Suffer the little children unto their parents neglect. It is what it is. It is preventable. No excuse.
purplesage (anonymous) says…
Good questions, each of them deserving an answer more complete than the one I am going to give:
I hope none of you ever endures the pain of losing a child in a traffic accident (or from any other cause, for that matter) but it does affect one's point of view on this question of "chargeability". I know.
There is neglect in not using restraints - but it is not the kind that is associated with some of the awful things children endure at the hands of adults in their lives.
The weeds have no moral accountability - yet they could well be a factor. What about trees and power poles that stand a matter of feet from traveled right of way? They ought to be cut down or moved a safe distance.
Yes, I do think that the closeness of relationship affects this question to some degree. It isn't the same thing as if someone got intoxicated and drove . . . and killed innocent people.
Accidents do happen. It is a part of life in an imperfect and broken world. There are always ways, some more egregious than others, in which things could have been prevented. Not everything has to become a criminal matter. Can you imagine the torment this family is enduring - and how their grief would be unspeakably compounded by the spectacle of a trial.
And yes, I cringe when I see children sandwiched between a parent and a steering wheel loaded with an air bag.