Local fundraisers have been established for a Wamego family of four involved in a fatal crash Wednesday on Highway 24.
The Tinkel family were in a pickup that overturned after a semi rear ended their vehicle and an SUV just east of Wamego. The crash killed 37-year-old Randy Tinkel and seriously injured his wife, 36-year-old Jillian Tinkel, a Wamego Central Elementary School teacher. The couple’s 7 and 2-year-old boys were transported to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City with serious injuries. A hospital official confirmed Friday afternoon to KMAN that both boys remain in critical condition. KMAN has not been able to confirm the mother’s condition.
A GoFundMe page has been established for the family. Oz Tasty Treats has also established a two week fundraiser with 50 percent of the proceeds going to support the Tinkel family.
Also sustaining serious injuries was 34-year-old Megan Schindler, of St. Marys. She was transported to Stormont Vail. Hospital officials hadn’t returned a message seeking her condition as of Friday afternoon.
The 44-year-old semi driver, Mark Stanwix, of Lecompton, was not injured.
The Kansas Highway Patrol told KMAN Friday that the incident remains under further investigation and upon completion, will be sent to the Pottawatomie County Attorney’s Office for review.
Information added to the crash report Friday noted a fourth vehicle, which was traveling westbound on Highway 24 was struck by debris from the crash. The 26-year-old driver, from Wamego, and her 2-month old daughter, were not injured.