Maleah Shae Archer Obituary, Death – A tragic single-vehicle rollover crash occurred Friday morning near the Kansas/Oklahoma state line, resulting in the death of a young woman from Arkansas City and injuries to another individual. The Cowley County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 21-year-old Maleah Shae Archer was killed in the crash, while a second person, 30-year-old Andy Owen Minnie, also from Arkansas City, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment.
The accident happened around 7 a.m. in the 32000 block of 61st Road, just south of the Arkansas River and east of U.S. Highway 77, a little over a mile north of the state line. According to the sheriff’s office, the white 2012 Nissan was traveling northbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The car veered off the road into an east-side ditch and rolled several times before coming to a stop.
Archer was ejected from the vehicle during the rollover and was pronounced dead at the scene. Minnie, the other occupant, was trapped inside the car but was rescued by emergency responders from Arkansas City Fire/EMS. He was then flown to the hospital by Eagle Med for further medical attention. His condition was not immediately disclosed.
Neither Archer nor Minnie was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, which authorities have highlighted as a factor in the severity of the injuries and fatality. The sheriff’s office is still investigating the exact circumstances of the crash to determine the cause and any contributing factors.
In the aftermath of the accident, both the Arkansas City Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol provided assistance in handling the scene and supporting the investigation. This crash marks a somber reminder of the importance of road safety measures, including wearing seatbelts, which could potentially save lives in such incidents.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather information about the moments leading up to the crash. Additional details may emerge as the sheriff’s office conducts a thorough review of the evidence. Local officials urge anyone with further information about the accident to come forward and assist with the investigation.