Man dies in crash near Baxter Springs

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. (KOAM) — Just before 4 p.m. Saturday reports of a serious crash at SE Greenlawn and SE 20th alerted E-911.

Baxter Springs Fire, Baxter Springs Police, Cherokee County Deputies, and Cherokee County AMB responded. Kansas Highway Patrol were notified.

KHP release preliminary crash information stating details.

Maryann Atkinson , 35, of Columbus, Kan. was driving a 2018 Ford Explorer westbound on NE Greenlawn Road. She suffered serious injuries wearing her seat belt and was transported priority to Freeman West in Joplin, Mo.

Matthew Atkinson , 36, of Columbus was a passenger in the Explorer. He was not wearing a seat belt, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced on scene. He was transported to nearby Derfelt Funeral Home.

Charla King , 37, of Columbus, was driving a 1996 Ford van northbound on SE 20th. She suffered minor injuries in the crash.

The following were passengers in the King vehicle that overturned All were wearing seat belts:

• Female, 13, minor injuries
• Male, 4, minor injuries
• Female 9, minor injuries
• Female 7, minor injuries

“[Ford Explorer] was Westbound on Southeast Greenlawn Road, [Ford van] was Northbound on Southeast 20th Street, [Ford Explorer] failed to stop for stop sign, [Ford van] struck [Ford Explorer].”

— Kansas Highway Patrol, K65

The vehicles and debris were removed by Jay’s Towing and Recovery.