One person is dead and another seriously injured following a head-on collision near Topeka.

The accident occurred just after 4pm on Wednesday, July 1, on US-24 between Topeka and Silver Lake. A 2025 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 50-year-old James Ulmer of Leavenworth was traveling east bound and was attempting to pass other vehicles. An eastbound Kia Soul driven by 28-year-old Dakota Bacon of Topeka attempted to avoid a collision with the pickup truck, but was unsuccessful. The two vehicle struck head-on. Bacon suffered fatal injuries in the crash while a passenger in his vehicle 28-year-old William C. Robertson the Third was seriously injured. The driver of the pickup also sustained minor injuries in the accident.

Driver's are urged to use patience on roadways as increased traffic is expected this week due to the Independence Day holiday.