MARSHALL COUNTY, Kan. – A devastating collision on U.S. Highway 36 early Wednesday morning has left one young woman dead and another critically injured. The incident, which took place just east of West River Road in Marshall County, unfolded at approximately 11:45 a.m., sending shockwaves through the surrounding communities.
According to reports from the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), the crash involved two vehicles traveling in opposite directions. Emily Larson, a 23-year-old resident of Bremen, was driving a westbound Jeep Cherokee when her vehicle veered across the center line, striking an eastbound Buick Enclave head-on. The Buick was driven by 89-year-old Bernice Nietfeld, a Marysville resident.
Authorities pronounced Larson dead at the scene. Her sudden and tragic passing has deeply affected her family, friends, and the local community, where she was known as a bright young woman with a promising future ahead of her. Meanwhile, Nietfeld suffered severe injuries in the collision and was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, for urgent medical care. At the time of the latest reports, she remains in critical condition as doctors work around the clock to stabilize her.
The KHP has since stressed the importance of seatbelt use in preventing fatalities and minimizing injuries during accidents. Preliminary investigations revealed that neither Larson nor Nietfeld was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Law enforcement officials emphasized that this may have significantly influenced the severity of the injuries sustained. In fact, research consistently shows that seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for front-seat passengers in cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This particular accident stands as another painful reminder of the lifesaving potential of proper seatbelt use.
While the immediate cause of Larson’s vehicle crossing into the oncoming lane is still under investigation, the lack of seatbelt use adds a layer of tragedy to the situation, as it could have potentially saved her life or reduced the extent of the injuries suffered by Nietfeld.
Charlotte police discover body of 15-year-old Anthony Smith in southwest Charlotte
As of now, the Kansas Highway Patrol is actively investigating the events leading up to the collision. Authorities are considering various factors, including road conditions, vehicle mechanical status, and the possibility of driver error or distraction. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to provide answers to the families involved and to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The process of reconstructing traffic accidents, especially fatal ones, can be painstaking. Investigators typically examine skid marks, vehicle damage, and any available surveillance footage or eyewitness accounts. Local authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has relevant information to come forward. Public input could play a key role in uncovering the details that remain unclear at this stage.
The small communities of Bremen and Marysville have been left in shock and grief by the accident. Emily Larson’s untimely death has left her family and friends struggling to process the loss of someone so young. In interviews with local media, those who knew Larson described her as vibrant, full of life, and deeply loved by those around her. Her death is a profound loss for her community.
Bernice Nietfeld’s family, meanwhile, is anxiously awaiting updates on her condition. At 89 years old, her resilience is being put to the test as medical professionals work tirelessly to aid her recovery. In a community where neighbors often feel like family, both tragedies have struck a deep chord, as residents offer support to the families affected by this harrowing event.
In the wake of this accident, the KHP has once again underscored the importance of road safety. Particularly, they have called on all drivers to take seatbelt use seriously and to remain vigilant when behind the wheel. Distracted driving, driver fatigue, and other preventable behaviors continue to contribute to fatal road accidents across the country. In 2021 alone, the NHTSA recorded over 42,000 traffic fatalities in the United States, with many deaths attributed to lack of seatbelt use.
Accidents like the one in Marshall County are grim reminders of the unpredictable nature of driving and the potential consequences of even the smallest lapses in attention or judgment. Seatbelts, proper vehicle maintenance, and focused driving are among the simplest and most effective tools in preventing such tragedies.
As the investigation unfolds, both the Larson and Nietfeld families will be looking for answers—answers that the Kansas Highway Patrol hopes to provide. The loss of life and serious injury experienced in this crash has left a deep scar on those involved, and it is the hope of many that the lessons learned here will foster greater awareness and caution on the roads.
For now, Marshall County mourns, and the entire community waits in hope and prayer for Nietfeld’s recovery and for the investigation to bring closure and perhaps some semblance of peace to those grieving the loss of Emily Larson.