Heartbreak on Highway 24: Topeka’s Anya JoAnn Turner, 22, Dies, Andria Nikkole Starr, 32, Injured in Head-On Collision in Fiery Head-On Crash Near Rossville

Topeka, KS — A devastating crash on Highway 24 has left the community mourning after a young woman lost her life and another person was hospitalized following a serious collision on Tuesday evening.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), the fatal crash happened shortly after 6:00 p.m. when a sedan traveling eastbound on Highway 24 suddenly veered across the centerline and into the path of an oncoming SUV in the westbound lanes. The impact was violent and immediate, drawing a swift response from emergency personnel, state troopers, and first responders.

Tragically, the driver of the vehicle that crossed into oncoming traffic has been identified as 22-year-old Anya JoAnn Turner of Topeka. Authorities confirmed that Turner was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. She was wearing her seatbelt at the time, but the severity of the impact ultimately proved fatal. Officials have not released any further details about what may have caused Turner to drift into the opposite lane.

Turner, a recent college graduate and beloved community member, was remembered by family and friends as a bright and kindhearted young woman with a passion for education and youth advocacy. She had been working as a teaching assistant while planning to pursue her master’s degree in the fall.

“She had the biggest heart,” said Marla Jensen, a former teacher and family friend. “She lit up every room she walked into and was destined to make a difference in the world.”

The second vehicle, a mid-size SUV traveling westbound, was driven by 32-year-old Andria Nikkole Starr, also of Topeka. Starr sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by ambulance to Stormont Vail Health for further treatment. Officials say she was alert and responsive at the scene, though clearly shaken by the traumatic incident.

According to witnesses, weather conditions were clear at the time of the crash and traffic was moderate. The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the possibility of a medical emergency or distraction behind the wheel. No signs of impairment were immediately apparent, authorities said, and toxicology results are pending as part of the routine investigative process.

Debris from the crash littered both lanes, causing a temporary closure of Highway 24 in both directions for several hours while emergency crews cleared the wreckage and conducted on-site measurements for their report. Traffic was diverted through side roads, creating congestion in the surrounding rural area.

News of Turner’s untimely death has reverberated through the Topeka community. Social media has since been flooded with tributes, photos, and memories as friends and loved ones mourn the loss of a vibrant young life taken too soon.

“She was the kind of person who checked on everyone, even when she was going through her own struggles,” wrote longtime friend Aaliyah Harmon. “I still can’t believe she’s gone. I was just texting her the night before.”

A memorial vigil is currently being planned by Turner’s family and will be held early next week at her former high school, with details to be released in the coming days. Counseling services are also being made available to students and staff who knew her from her recent work in local schools.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging drivers to remain vigilant and cautious on the roadways. While this particular accident may have stemmed from unknown causes, officials emphasize the importance of focused driving and road awareness, especially on high-speed thoroughfares like Highway 24.

“Our hearts go out to the families impacted by this tragic event,” said Lt. Mark Sanders of the Kansas Highway Patrol. “This is a reminder of just how quickly lives can change, and we encourage everyone to drive safely and responsibly.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information is asked to contact the Kansas Highway Patrol at (785) 296-6800.

In Loving Memory of Anya JoAnn Turner
A life full of promise, extinguished far too soon. May her legacy of kindness, ambition, and compassion live on in all who knew her.