Road conditions blamed for fatal accident Icy road conditions are to blame for three accidents including one fatality in northwest Kansas on Tuesday.

Two people from Arkansas were killed Tuesday night after the vehicle they were in spun out of control due to weather conditions on Interstate 70.

Keely Trusell, 23, and Brandon Trusell, 25, Fort Smith, Ark., were eastbound on I-70 just east of the intersection of Kansas Highway 25 in Thomas County at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday when their 2000 Toyota 4Runner spun out of control and crossed the median into westbound traffic. The vehicle was struck on the passenger side by a tractor-trailer, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol report.

Another accident involving three vehicles in Thomas County Tuesday sent five people to Citizens Medical Center in Colby with possible injuries.

Alan Covell, 34, Copperas Cove, Texas, was westbound on I-70 about 1 mile east of Colby at about 7:40 p.m. Tuesday when he lost control of a 2005 Dodge pickup due to the weather conditions. His vehicle went across the median into eastbound traffic hitting one vehicle on the side and another head on, according to the KHP report.

All seven occupants of the vehicles were restrained, including a 4- and 5-year old in Covell’s vehicle.

In Russell County, a Hays woman was transported to the hospital following an accident on I-70 at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Stephanie Whittington, 42, was westbound on I-70 west of Russell when she attempted to change from the left lane to the right lane and lost control of her car on the icy roadway, according to a KHP report. The vehicle entered the ditch, rolled at least once and came to rest on the driver’s side facing northwest.

Whittington was wearing a seat belt. She was taken to Russell Regional Hospital with possible injuries.