Emily Larson Bremen KS Car Accident – A devastating collision on U.S. Highway 36 early Wednesday morning has left one young woman dead and another critically injured.
The incident, which took place just east of West River Road in Marshall County, unfolded at approximately 11:45 a.m., sending shockwaves through the surrounding communities.
According to reports from the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), the crash involved two vehicles traveling in opposite directions. Emily Larson, a 23-year-old resident of Bremen, was driving a westbound Jeep Cherokee when her vehicle veered across the center line, striking an eastbound Buick Enclave head-on. The Buick was driven by 89-year-old Bernice Nietfeld, a Marysville resident.
Authorities pronounced Larson dead at the scene. Her sudden and tragic passing has deeply affected her family, friends, and the local community, where she was known as a bright young woman with a promising future ahead of her.
Meanwhile, Nietfeld suffered severe injuries in the collision and was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, for urgent medical care. At the time of the latest reports, she remains in critical condition as doctors work around the clock to stabilize her.
The KHP has since stressed the importance of seatbelt use in preventing fatalities and minimizing injuries during accidents. Preliminary investigations revealed that neither Larson nor Nietfeld was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Law enforcement officials emphasized that this may have significantly influenced the severity of the injuries sustained.
In fact, research consistently shows that seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45% for front-seat passengers in cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This particular accident stands as another painful reminder of the lifesaving potential of proper seatbelt use.
While the immediate cause of Larson’s vehicle crossing into the oncoming lane is still under investigation, the lack of seatbelt use adds a layer of tragedy to the situation, as it could have potentially saved her life or reduced the extent of the injuries suffered by Nietfeld.