A one-vehicle rollover accident late Sunday afternoon in Chase County sent two people, including one Emporian, to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, where one remained in critical condition today.
According to Chase County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan White, Carlos Vasquez Herrera was driving near Kahola Lake in Chase County when the vehicle overturned at Road 290 and Road Z, about 3 miles west of the Lyon-Chase County line.
“He’s very lucky to be alive,” White said. “He was thrown clear of the vehicle.”
A passenger, Lourdes Carreon of Emporia, was wearing a seat belt.
“That saved her life, that’s for sure, or was a major contributing factor to it,” White said.
Both victims were taken by LifeTeam helicopters to Wesley.
Ages were not yet available for either Herrera or Carreon, nor was Herrera’s home town.
Herrera’s condition was upgraded from critical to serious late this afternoon. A Wesley spokeswoman said medical personnel expected he would be transferred soon from the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, where he is undergoing treatment. Carreon was reported in good condition.
The accident remains under investigation.
— Bobbi Mlynar