Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken Obituary: Two Killed in Four-Vehicle Crash on U.S. 59 in Franklin County, Kansas
The fatal crash happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 59, approximately three miles north of Richmond in Franklin County.
Published by Global Report Center
3h ago 6 min 3
Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken Killed in Franklin County Crash
Two families are mourning following a deadly Friday night collision on U.S. 59 in Franklin County, Kansas.
Authorities identified the two people killed as Auriana K. Davis, 18, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Myron B. Wolken, 73, of Beloit, Kansas.
The collision involved four vehicles and occurred approximately three miles north of Richmond.
Kansas Highway Patrol investigators reported that Davis was traveling northbound in a Kia Forte before attempting to pass two vehicles traveling in the same direction.
The Kia subsequently collided head-on with Wolken's southbound Cadillac.
Both drivers suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced dead at the crash scene.
What Happened in the U.S. 59 Crash?
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol's preliminary crash information, Davis was driving a 2021 Kia Forte northbound on U.S. 59.
Two other vehicles were traveling northbound ahead of her.
Those vehicles were a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Emma E. Franklin, 18, of Uniontown, and a 2013 Ford Escape driven by Jolee R. Olsen, 20, of Lawrence.
Authorities reported that Davis attempted to pass the two vehicles.
During the maneuver, her Kia collided head-on with a southbound 2008 Cadillac DTS driven by Myron B. Wolken.
The incident ultimately involved all four vehicles.
Where Did the Fatal Franklin County Crash Happen?
The collision occurred on U.S. Highway 59 in Franklin County, Kansas, approximately three miles north of Richmond.
The location is important because Davis and Wolken were from different communities.
Davis was from Kansas City, Missouri, while Wolken was from Beloit, Kansas.
The fatal collision itself occurred in Franklin County.
When Did the Auriana Davis and Myron Wolken Accident Happen?
The crash occurred shortly after 9:30 p.m. Friday.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene following the multi-vehicle collision.
Davis and Wolken were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash was publicly reported on October 3, 2026.
Who Was Auriana K. Davis?
Auriana K. Davis was 18 years old and from Kansas City, Missouri.
She was driving the 2021 Kia Forte involved in the fatal collision.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that Davis was properly restrained at the time of the crash.
She suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The initial crash report does not provide detailed information about Davis' education, family, employment or other aspects of her life.
Those details should come from her family or an official obituary when available.
Who Was Myron B. Wolken?
Myron B. Wolken was 73 years old and from Beloit, Kansas.
Wolken was driving the southbound 2008 Cadillac DTS that collided with Davis' Kia.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Like Davis, Wolken was reported to have been properly restrained.
Additional information about his family, career and personal life should be taken from a confirmed obituary or family announcement rather than assumed from people with similar names.
Three Other People Hospitalized After Four-Vehicle Collision
Three other people involved in the crash survived and were transported to hospitals.
Authorities identified Emma E. Franklin, 18, of Uniontown, as the driver of the Chevrolet Cruze.
Jolee R. Olsen, 20, of Lawrence, was driving the Ford Escape.
Both were transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
A passenger in Wolken's Cadillac, identified as Christian D. Wellbrock, 22, of Victoria, was transported to KU Medical Center.
Detailed information about the severity of their injuries was not included in the initial report.
Four Vehicles Involved in U.S. 59 Accident
The Kansas Highway Patrol identified four vehicles involved in the Franklin County collision:
2021 Kia Forte driven by Auriana K. Davis
2014 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Emma E. Franklin
2013 Ford Escape driven by Jolee R. Olsen
2008 Cadillac DTS driven by Myron B. Wolken
The fatal head-on impact involved the Kia and Cadillac.
The other two vehicles became involved during the overall collision sequence.
Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken Cause of Death
Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken died from injuries sustained in the U.S. 59 collision.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their bodies were transported to Frontier Forensics following the crash.
No more detailed medical description of their fatal injuries was provided in the initial crash information.
Their cause of death should therefore be described as injuries sustained in the traffic collision unless further information is released by authorities.
Were the Drivers Wearing Seat Belts?
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that all five identified occupants were properly restrained at the time of the collision.
That includes Davis, Wolken and the three other people identified in the crash.
The information comes from the preliminary crash report.
What Caused the Franklin County Crash?
According to the preliminary Kansas Highway Patrol account, Davis was attempting to pass the Chevrolet Cruze and Ford Escape when her Kia collided head-on with Wolken's southbound Cadillac.
That describes the reported sequence of events.
However, the available information does not establish additional contributing factors such as speed, distraction, impairment or road conditions.
Those factors should not be attributed to the crash unless investigators release evidence supporting them.
Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Investigation
The Kansas Highway Patrol handles preliminary injury and fatality crash information through its crash-log system.
Crash-log information is preliminary and may be updated as additional details become available.
The official crash report ultimately supersedes preliminary crash-log information.
Any future investigative findings concerning the Franklin County collision should therefore be incorporated when officially released.
Communities Mourn Auriana Davis and Myron Wolken
The deaths of Davis and Wolken have left families and friends facing an unexpected loss.
Davis was only 18 years old and connected to Kansas City, Missouri.
Wolken was 73 and from Beloit, Kansas.
Although they came from different communities and generations, their lives ended in the same tragic collision on U.S. 59.
The crash has also affected the three survivors and their families as they recover from the incident.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
Funeral, visitation, burial and memorial arrangements for Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken were not included in the initial crash report.
Those details should be obtained from their respective families or confirmed funeral-home obituaries once publicly announced.
Because two people died in the collision, care should be taken not to mistakenly attribute one victim's relatives, funeral arrangements or biographical details to the other.
What We Know About the Franklin County U.S. 59 Crash
Auriana K. Davis was 18 and from Kansas City, Missouri.
Myron B. Wolken was 73 and from Beloit, Kansas.
The fatal crash happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. Friday on U.S. 59, approximately three miles north of Richmond.
Davis was driving a northbound 2021 Kia Forte.
Wolken was driving a southbound 2008 Cadillac DTS.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that the Kia was attempting to pass two northbound vehicles before colliding head-on with the Cadillac.
Four vehicles were involved.
Davis and Wolken were pronounced dead at the scene.
Three other people were transported to hospitals.
All five identified occupants were reported as properly restrained.
Remembering Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken
The Franklin County crash has left two families mourning the sudden deaths of Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken.
While investigators' reports provide information about the collision, the people who knew Davis and Wolken will remember them for far more than the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Davis was 18 and at the beginning of adulthood, while Wolken was 73.
Their deaths have brought grief to loved ones in Kansas City, Missouri, Beloit, Kansas, and beyond.
Condolences remain with the families and friends of Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken, as well as with the three people injured in the collision and their loved ones.
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