WABAUNSEE COUNTY, Kan. (TNND) — A 2-year-old girl died following a crash on Interstate 70 near the Paxico Rest Area on March 15.
The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) identified the victim as Diora Lewis. The incident occurred shortly before 5 p.m. when a 2007 Ford F-150 veered off the road and struck a limestone embankment after overcorrecting while crossing multiple lanes of traffic.
Diora was seated on a sibling's lap at the time of the crash. She was critically injured and died at Children's Mercy Hospital three days later. The vehicle was carrying her mother and three siblings, ages 16, 14, and 11. They suffered minor injuries.
Authorities confirmed that Kansas law mandates children under the age of 4 to be secured in a car seat. “All children under four are required to ride in a car seat,” KHP noted.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.