Update: 2 Killed, Transportation Worker Hurt in Salina Crash

Two women have been killed and a man injured in a crash on Interstate 135 in central Kansas’ Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened Wednesday afternoon when a tractor-trailer crossed the median and struck a car in the driver’s side, causing it to hit a guardrail. The car’s driver, 63-year-old Marilyn Mayo, of Salina, and her 96-year-old passenger, Emma Thomas, of Marquette, were taken to a hospital, where they died.

The patrol says a Kansas Department of Transportation vehicle had been attempting to merge back into the interstate and was struck on the side while the driver attempted to get out of the way. The driver of the KDOT vehicle was injured, but the driver of the tractor-trailer and his passenger weren’t.

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Original Story:

Several people were injured in a crash along Interstate 135 near Salina late Wednesday afternoon.

The crash, which involved at least two vehicles including a tractor-trailer truck and an SUV, happened in the southbound lanes just south of the section of interstate that crosses over Centennial Road. After a collision, the tractor-trailer truck careened down a steep embankment and into a treeline.

Officials would not allow local media at the scene, nor would they offer any details about the crash.

According to scanner traffic, EMS transported at least two people to Salina Regional Health Center.

The Kansas Highway Patrol’s Critical Highway Accident  Response Team appeared to be working at the scene.

The crash happened at around 4:00 Wednesday afternoon.