UPDATE:

The Junction City Police Department has reported the driver of a 2007 Mini Cooper, 23-year old Jacey Cantrell, Wamego, has died following a two vehicle accident Wednesday morning on Interstate 70.

According to Police Department Lieutenant Trish Giordano police responded to a major collision at a location near exit 297 on I-70. Cantrell was entrapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated by the Junction City Fire Department. She was transported to Geary Community Hospital where she was pronounced deceased a short time later.

The other vehicle involved in the accident was a 2014 Ram pickup truck driven by 31-year old Joel Larabaeza, Junction City. The truck rolled at least two times after the impact. Larabaeza received no injuries from the collision.

After interviewing witnesses it was determined that the Mini Cooper was traveling westbound and crossed over the center median. The Ram truck was eastbound and struck the passenger side of the Mini Cooper.

USD 475 confirmed for JC Post that Cantrell was a fourth grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary School in Junction City. She was in her first year of employment with the school district. Counselors are responding to that school to provide assistance where necessary the remainder of this week. Cantrell was on her way to work when the accident occurred.

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Two people were transported to hospitals following a two-vehicle head-on collision Wednesday morning on I-70 near Junction City.

The eastbound lane of the interstate had to be closed for about an hour while authorities worked at the accident scene. One of the victims was lifeflighted to a hospital and another was transported to Geary Community Hospital.

Police Lieutenant Trish Giordano said one of the vehicles was traveling westbound on the interstate, “and crossed the median and hit an eastbound vehicle head on. ”

The names of those involved in the accident are not yet available.

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The eastbound lane of I-70 near the 296 exit on the south side of Junction City has been closed early Wednesday morning due to a two-vehicle injury accident. Traffic will be rerouted. There was a traffic backup at that time back near the 295 exit approximately one mile west of the accident area.

According to police dispatch one vehicle rolled and is off the interstate down a 50-foot embankment.

The accident occurred in the seven o’clock hour.