Dr. Fred Ruda, Chair of the Technology Studies department at Fort Hays State University, was killed in a car wreck west of Dodge City Sunday morning.

According to reports from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Ruda, his wife, Sherill and his mother-in-law, Eleanor Sexson, of Hays, were traveling west on US Highway 56 in a 2010 Buick Lucerne when a 2005 Yukon, driven by Braulio De La Cruz-Gonzalez, 19, of Dodge City crossed the center line and struck Ruda’s vehicle.

Ruda and his mother-in-law, Eleanor Sexson, were killed. Sherill Ruda was taken to Western Plains Hospital in Dodge City with disabling injuries and later airlifted to HaysMed in Hays, Kansas.

De La Cruz-Gonzalez was taken to Western Plains Hospital with injuries. His passenger, Alejandro Penagos refused treatment at the scene.

All of the persons involved in the accident were wearing their seat belts.