According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, at 6:09 am 21-year-old Jose Saldana-Nava of Buffalo, OK was westbound on US 50 approximately 10 miles West of Cimarron and slowed to make a left hand turn.  As he waited to turn, 20-year-old Cesar Bautista-Cruz of Dodge City was westbound on US 50 in a Ford pickup and attempted to improperly pass the turning vehicle.

At the same time, Jose F LMota, 44 of Garden City was eastbound on US 50 in a Peterbilt smi and swerved to miss the pickup.  The semi truck and pickup hit nearly head on.

LMota was transported to Saint Catherine in Garden City with injuries.  Bautista-Cruz and his passenger in the pickup, 22-year-old Jeremiah Lee of Dodge City, were transported to Western Plains Regional Hospital in Dodge City.  Lee and Bautista-Cruz died later in the morning.