Former BP woman killed in Kansas crash

A pregnant school teacher originally from Blooming Prairie has been killed in a motor vehicle crash in Kansas.
Hannah Noel Lager, 24, of Atchison, Kan., and her unborn child, Matthias, were killed in a two-vehicle wreck on K-4 Highway north of Valley Falls April 24. The crash happened just after 7:30 a.m. as Lager was heading to school.
Lager taught Spanish as a high school teacher working at both Valley Falls and Jefferson County North.
She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School and Benedictine College in 2017. Lager married the love of her life, Austin Lager, last June in Blooming Prairie. They were expecting their first child in a few months.
A special prayer service was held on the night after the crash at the Abbey Church. A funeral mass was held this morning (Tuesday) at St. Columbanus Church in Blooming Prairie. Interment followed the service at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery by Geneva.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Lager was southbound on the highway traveling in the inside lane attempting to pass a semi-tractor trailer that also was southbound in the far right lane. The semi was attempting to merge into the inside lane where Lager was traveling.
Lager attempted to pass in the opposing northbound lane, but over-corrected and lost control of her Chevrolet Impala. The car began to skid counter-clockwise into the northbound lane of traffic, causing the semi to collided with the passenger side of Lager’s vehicle.
Authorities pronounced Lager dead at the scene. The 75-year-old driver of the semi was reported to have possible injuries.
The patrol said both drivers were wearing seat belts.
Lager is the daughter of Peter and LeAnn Vogt of Blooming Prairie.