EMPORIA (KSNT) – A mother and her son were killed Sunday in an Emporia crash that sent a third person to the hospital.
Nichole Gibbons, 31, of Wichita, and her 10-year-old son, Terrell Gibbons of Topeka, were traveling eastbound on Highway 50 in a 2014 Chevy Malibu when she crossed the center lines into the westbound lanes. They hit a 2020 Hyundai Palisade which, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, caused the car turn sideways and collide with a Nissan Quest.
The driver of the Nissan Quest, Steven Miller, of Hutchinson, was taken to Newman Regional Hospital.
Nichole Gibbons and her son, Terrell, died at the scene.
James Morton, 53, of Dodge City, Kansas, and a passenger Sheree Morton, 43, of Dodge City, were in the 2020 Hyundai Palisade that was hit by Gibbons’s car. The two were looked over by Chase County EMS, but refused medical treatment.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that on March 6, at about 4:30 p.m. the sheriff’s office, Emporia/Lyon County ambulance, and a Chase County ambulance were sent to Road C and Highway 50 for the three-vehicle crash.
On Monday morning, Sheriff Jeffrey Cope confirmed two people had died and a third person was taken to Newman Regional Hospital with serious injuries.
Lyon County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the crash.
The Topeka 501 School District responded to the crash in the following email written by Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson:
“It is with a heavy heart that we share information regarding a tragedy within the Jardine school community. Yesterday, our fifth grade student Terell Gibbons and his mother, Nicole Gibbons, passed away as a result of a car accident due to inclement weather. We are deeply saddened at the loss of our beloved student who was a friend to many across the Jardine community. Terrell was a loving, joyful scholar who attended many of the basketball games with his family this year to watch older relatives. He will be greatly missed, we are truly heartbroken. This is an unexpected tragic loss impacting us all. Today a crisis team is in place at Jardine Elementary. Terrell’s classmates at Jardine asked if they could all wear red in his memory because it was his favorite color. Therefore, many at Jardine and many across the district will be wearing red tomorrow as well as we remember a wonderful young man. His family has given me permission to share information and they are still processing the recent accident that happened less than 24 hours ago, but they appreciate any support that may be extended. We will share memorial details once we receive them for donations to be directed accordingly. Please keep Terrell’s family and all at Jardine uplifted in your thoughts and prayers.“
Dr. Tiffany Anderson
