Lawrence man, 21, killed in car accident northeast of town

A two-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon between Lawrence and Tonganoxie killed a 21-year-old Lawrence man.

The accident occurred just after 3 p.m. Thursday near U.S. Highway 24-40 and Loring Road, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol report. The area is about 4 miles northeast of Lawrence, or 8 miles southwest of Tonganoxie.

A Ford F250 truck driven by Hunter Ford, 22, of Tonganoxie, was traveling north toward Tonganoxie on U.S. Highway 24-40, while a 2018 Kia Soul driven by Jawuan Smoot, 21, of Lawrence, was traveling south, according to the KHP report. Ford’s vehicle crossed the center line and struck Smoot’s Kia Soul. Ford’s truck then rolled and left the road to the the left; the Kia Soul overturned and left the road to the right, the report says.

Smoot was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the KHP report. He was wearing a safety restraint. Military personnel notified Smoot’s family of his death.

Ford, who was not wearing a safety restraint, reportedly suffered minor injuries.