ALLEN COUNTY, Kan. — On February 5, 2025, the Allen County Sheriff’s Office investigated two weather-related crashes, one of which sent a person to the hospital.
At 6 a.m., emergency units were dispatched to a one-vehicle rollover south of Iola on Old U.S. Highway 169. The driver of a 2000 Jeep Wrangler lost control on an icy bridge, and his vehicle overturned. The 28-year-old driver told officers that wearing his seat belt kept him from being injured and possibly saved his life.
Just after 7:30 a.m., emergency units were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on the U.S. Highway 169 overpass at the junction with U.S. Highway 54. The driver of a northbound Ford Explorer lost control of her vehicle as it crossed the bridge, turning sideways and entering into the southbound lane of travel, where it was struck by a Nissan Altima attempting to make an evasive maneuver. The driver of the Nissan Altima, who was wearing his seat belt, sustained minor injuries and had to be cut out of the car with the Jaws of Life. The driver of the Ford Explorer sustained unknown injuries and was transported to the Allen County Hospital by ambulance.
Allen County Sheriff Anthony Maness stated that drivers should always be cautious, especially on bridges or other elevated roadways, when roadway conditions are wet and temperatures hover around freezing. He said that today, he again saw first-hand the effectiveness of seat belts and airbags in reducing injuries and saving lives.
