TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Topeka woman who worked at a local school was killed Thursday while trying to help at the scene of a highway crash.
The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) said it happened shortly before 4:20 p.m. on Sept. 10 on U.S. 75 near mile marker 152 just south of Topeka.
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A Honda Civic had been involved in an earlier crash and was stopped on the left shoulder of the northbound lanes. Multiple other drivers stopped to help the Honda driver. Troopers said one of those good Samaritans, Sarah J. McLaughlin-Olson, 44, of Topeka, had parked and gotten out of her vehicle.
(Photo By: Delaney Gregory)
(Photo By: Delaney Gregory)
(Photo By: Delaney Gregory)
KHP reports the driver of a Ford F-350 pickup truck pulling a horse trailer braked and veered onto the highway’s left shoulder to avoid vehicles stopped in the roadway, hitting the Honda and McLaughlin-Olson.
The KHP said McLaughlin-Olson was killed. The driver of the Honda, a 41-year-old Wakarusa woman, suffered potentially serious injuries. The driver and three other occupants of the Ford were not injured.
Taylor Dunham, principal of Pauline South Intermediate, shared a message with families of the school following the deadly crash. He said McLaughlin-Olson worked as a social worker at the school.
Sarah J. McLaughlin-Olson (Photo Courtesy/USD 437)
“Dear Panther Families,
It is with a heavy heart I share with you the news that our social worker, Sarah McLaughlin, died yesterday afternoon in a traffic accident. Mrs. McLaughlin was a valued and beloved member of our school community for many years. She will be remembered for her giving, positive, and supportive spirit towards students and families. Her passing is a tremendous loss to our school community.
Students will be informed about Mrs. McLaughlin’s death starting at 9:00 today. If you feel more comfortable personally informing your student, I encourage you to pick up your student by 9:00. If you are unable to pick your student up by this time please notify the office and we will pull your student from these conversations. Their absence for the remainder of the day will be excused.
Understanding and processing death can be incredibly challenging, especially when it is sudden. Members of our school-based mental health team will be available to support anyone struggling to cope with this loss. Additional district mental health staff and therapy dogs will also be available in the building throughout next week to support our students.
We encourage parents and guardians to access resources that can help support children as they navigate grief. In addition to the Family Service and Guidance Center, which is available 24/7 at (785) 232-5005, the resource materials linked here offer guidance for talking with children about grief and loss.
Please keep the McLaughlin family in your thoughts during this difficult time. Your support is deeply appreciated by all of us here at Pauline South.”
Principal Taylor Dunham
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