A devastating crash on U.S. 59 in Franklin County, Kansas, has left two families grieving the sudden loss of Auriana K. Davis, 18, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Myron B. Wolken, 73, of Beloit.
The Kansas Highway Patrol said the fatal four-vehicle collision happened shortly after 9:30 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2026, about three miles north of Richmond.
According to investigators, Auriana was driving a 2021 Kia Forte northbound when she attempted to pass a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze and a 2013 Ford Escape. During the passing maneuver, the Kia collided head-on with a 2008 Cadillac DTS traveling southbound and driven by Myron.
Both Auriana and Myron were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics.
Three other people were injured. Emma E. Franklin, 18, of Uniontown, and Jolee R. Olsen, 20, of Lawrence, were transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Christian D. Wellbrock, 22, of Victoria, a passenger in Myron’s Cadillac, was transported to KU Medical Center. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that everyone involved was properly restrained.
While investigators work to document exactly what happened on that stretch of highway, the tragedy has left two families facing a loss that cannot be measured simply by the details of a crash report.
For Auriana, only 18 years old, a lifetime of possibilities still lay ahead. There were experiences she had yet to have, memories she had yet to make and milestones she had yet to reach. Her sudden death has brought an unimaginable sense of loss to those who knew her.
Myron, at 73, also leaves behind a lifetime of memories and the people whose lives he touched over the years. His death represents not simply the loss of a driver in a tragic collision, but the loss of a person whose presence mattered to family, friends and those who knew him.
The circumstances of the crash may eventually be reduced to reports, diagrams and investigative findings. But behind those facts were two human lives — two people with their own histories, relationships, hopes and memories.
Their loved ones are now left with photographs, stories and shared moments that will carry their memories forward.
Auriana K. Davis and Myron B. Wolken will be remembered not for the way their lives ended, but for the lives they lived and the people who will continue to carry their memories with them.
May their families, friends and loved ones find comfort and strength as they mourn two lives lost far too suddenly.
