A 21-year-old Coffeyville woman, Ashley Dawn Rolls, died shortly after midnight in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 75 between New Strawn and BETO Junction. The accident happened about 12:10 a.m. Sunday. Three others were taken for treatment to the Coffey County Hospital in Burlington, and one later was transferred to Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.
According to a report from the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 1998 Pontiac driven by Lindsay Ann Shaw, 23, of Manhattan, was southbound on Highway 75 when a 2001 Ford pickup truck headed east on County Road 22 failed to yield the right-of-way and struck the Shaw vehicle on the passenger side.
Rolls, a passenger in the car, was thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Shaw was taken to Coffey County Hospital and later transferred to Stormont-Vail, according to the KHP report.
"The crash caused the Pontiac to be cut in two, actually breaking Rolls' seat belt and causing her ejection," said KHP Trooper Jeff Norling, who worked the accident.
The driver of the truck, Eldon W. Riley, 50, of Garnett, his passenger, Teresa L. Gretencord, 46, of Gardner, were taken to Coffey County Hospital for treatment, and Riley later was arrested by Coffey County Sheriff's officers.
"The evidence and a witness to the crash both show that Riley failed to stop at the stop sign, and he hit the passenger side of the car," Norling said.
As of early Monday afternoon, Riley remained in the Coffey County Jail on $75,000 bond, pending charges of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, involuntary manslaughter, and aggravated battery, according to a jail records.
Rolls was taken to the Jones Mortuary in Burlington.
All four people involved were wearing seat bealts, Norling said.
Almost_There (anonymous) says...
My prayers for the families. This sounds like a very high speed crash. What is the speed limit on this road?
January 1, 2007 at 6:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
This is a sad time for both drivers and passengers. Its a blink of a eye you cant ever take back. God bless and prayers for all of them.
January 1, 2007 at 8:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dj2879 (anonymous) says...
The speed limit on Hwy 75 is 65 mph. The speed limit on the other road would be 55, although being a county road there is no actual posted speed limit.
January 2, 2007 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JediMom (anonymous) says...
Besides her own family, Ashley leaves behind a heart-broken, grieving fiance, and his family. Please pray for them...Thank you.
January 4, 2007 at 12:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
droll53 (anonymous) says...
A death at the hands of a drunk driver is always a senseless tragedy. It is particularly sad when a young person, with their whole life ahead of them, is robbed of the opportunity to pursue their dreams and ambitions. This young lady was engaged and most likely would have, at some point in time, started a family. Her parents will not have the opportunity to know the grandchildren they might have had. Our society should be more outraged about such crimes and should demand legislation to direct the courts to hand down stiffer sentences.
January 6, 2007 at 3:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kyce25 (anonymous) says...
thank you! to everyone for there kind words and prayers. ashley dawn rolls was my friend iv known her for bout 4 years....she was a very sweet a kind person who loved tha color pink..cats and her fiance kelly! and he loved her...she had too lil brothers alot of loving famliy...and more friends than she will ever kno!we miss her alot....we were pink in her memory! if you are reading this you should were pink too....or pick up a stay cat and love it in her memory...we dont want our friend to die in vien! and to tha famliy of eldon riley,me ,my self holds no gruge or no anger for your family member ashley would noy want that...she was a very forgiving person i kno this first hand! she has already for gave him!! and so have i........ tha law says he will get in trouble for breaking it!!!! but dont think tha will bring her back! cuz it wont!but he should jus live tha rest of his life makin sure others dont make his same mistake in life! to take another life,i dont think he woke up that morning on intending this would happen...i undersatnd that but i am one af few that does....i have god and so does eldon! jus plz dont let my friend die in vien...DONT DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!! DONT LET YOUR FRIENDS DRINK AND DRIVE! LET GOD BE WITH YOU ELDON AND YOUR FAMILY!
January 14, 2007 at 1:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JediMom (anonymous) says...
Thanks, kyce25, for your kind words. Our family was very blessed to have known Ashley. We really are going to miss her and her sweet smile, and I know that Kelly has one more angel looking out for him. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
JediMom (Kelly's aunt)
January 14, 2007 at 2:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
droll53 (anonymous) says...
Does anyone have any information on the condition of Ashley's friend Lindsay Shaw?
January 17, 2007 at 12:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )