Two young Doniphan County residents were seriously injured in a two-vehicle accident early this ( Friday ) morning on U.S. 24 Highway in Jefferson County east of Perry.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 19-year-old Gary Daniel Koelliker of Highland was driving a pickup west on U.S. 24.   A semi was traveling behind Koelliker’s vehicle when he pulled off onto the shoulder.  The semi moved over into the opposite lane to pass the pickup.  At that moment, the Patrol says Koelliker pulled out and attempted to make a u-turn, crashing into the semi.
Kolliker was transported to Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka with disabling injuries.
A passenger in his vehicle, 20-year-old Dyllon Butrick of White Cloud, was flown from the scene to the KU Medical Center in Kansas City with disabling injuries.
The semi driver, from Indiana, was not hurt.
The Patrol says Koelliker and Butrick were not wearing seat belts, but  the semi driver was.
The accident was reported shortly before 1:45 this ( Friday ) morning.  It closed down a portion of U.S. 24 for nearly 5 hours while the accident was investigated.