Going “left of center” is listed as the cause of a head-on collision about three miles east of Burlington, Monday evening at 8:03 p.m. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Brock Morgan responded to the crash on State Highway 8 near county road 2600.

Kristina Czerniak, age 47 of Kiowa, Kansas, was driving a 2004 Lincoln Navigator westbound on the highway. She grew up in the Amorita/Byron area and is a graduate of Burlington High School.

An eastbound 2013 Ford Focus was driven by Kathleen Kommer, who has since passed away. Age 28, Kommer was from Coos Bay, Oregon. Trooper Morgan's report said that Kommer's vehicle went left of center striking Czerniak's Lincoln.

Kommer was pinned in her vehicle for approximately five minutes before freed by firefighters. Amorita/Byron Fire and Rescue Chief Brad Rieger said the entire engine of one of the cars was thrown 25 feet from the vehicle.

Both women were reportedly taken by ambulance to the Kiowa (Kansas) District Hospital. Czerniak was transferred to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She was admitted for observation and listed in stable condition.

Kommer was listed in critical condition with massive head and neck injuries, according to the trooper's report. She was transported by Air Evac to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. According to Capron United Methodist Church, Kommer has passed away from her injuries.

Seatbelts were used and airbags deployed in both vehicles.

Trooper Morgan was assisted by Trooper Seth Sturgeon #788 of the Grant County detachment of Troop J. Others responding were: Alfalfa County EMS, Alva EMS, Alfalfa County Sheriff Office, Alva Fire, Burlington Fire, Amorita-Byron Fire and Air Evac.