Galena, KS (September 23, 2024) – A passenger was injured in a two-vehicle accident in the Galena area on Sunday, September 22. The accident took place near the K-26 and Old Highway 166 interchange early that morning, around 12:50 a.m. Local reports revealed that 23-year-old Dylan H. Collins of Neosho was driving a 2021 Honda Accord traveling eastbound on Old Highway 166 as 53-year-old William B. Smith of Carl Junction, MO, was headed north in a 2025 Lexus passenger car on K-26.
For unknown reasons, Collins ran a stop sign at the intersection and was hit by the oncoming Lexus. Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the scene to provide the necessary aid. A passenger in the Lexus, 60-year-old Fontella H. Smith, also from Carl Junction, MO, was injured and transported by ambulance to Fremon West Hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported in the impact. An ongoing investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
Our thoughts are with the injured victim and their family at this time. We hope for a full recovery.
Stop Sign Accidents in Kansas
Four-way stops can be very dangerous places for accidents. Broadside accidents happen when the front or back of one car hits the side of another car. These crashes are also known as side-impact, right-angle, or T-bone accidents. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that almost 70 percent of car accidents were caused by drivers who ran a stop sign. Nearly one-third of the 700,000 reported stop-sign crashes nationwide end in injury. Intersections are some of the most dangerous places on the roads. You need to be ready to pursue a strong claim for compensation by working closely with a competing team of Galena car accident lawyers. Your ability to lead a normal life can be on the line after a serious crash, and it is important that you work closely with a respected law firm. Bretz Injury Law has a proven history of helping injured parties pursue full recoveries. Contact our offices today at 620-524-0080 to get started on your case.