SALINA — The grandfather of an Ellsworth County woman accused of causing a fatal crash in rural Saline County then fleeing the scene, made his first appearance in Saline County court Tuesday morning.

Saline County Detention Center records indicate 78-year-old Dennis Katzenmeier, Ellsworth, was booked into the detention center in Salina at around 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16, and was released on bond about two hours later. He was arrested on a requested charge of obstructing apprehension or prosecution; committed or charged with felony. The warrant for his arrest had been filed on Aug. 14.

On Aug. 18, Case SA-CR-000519 was filed in Saline County District Court against Katzenmeier alleging: That on our about Aug. 8, in Saline County, Kansas, Dennis Ryan Katzenmeier did unlawfully, knowingly and feloniously harbor, conceal or aid any person to with Kayla Lynn Errebo, who had committed or who has been charged with committing a felony under the laws of this state other than a violation of KSA 22-4903 and amendment, another state or the United States, with the intent such person should avoid or escape from arrest, trial or conviction for such felony, a severity level 8, non-person felony in violation of KSA 21-5913 (a) (1) & (b)(1) (A).

Katzenmeier appeared before Judge Andrea Swisher. Present was attorney Matthew Leavitt of Wichita, who is with the firm Hulnick, Stang, Gering & Leavitt.

Judge Andrea Swisher read the charges, which carry a sentence of between 7-23 months, and up to a $100,000 fine. She said Katzenmeier is a codefendant in the case and Judge Amy Norton will handle both cases.

Katzenmeier is the grandfather of 32-yearold Kayla Errebo, who lives in Lorraine.

Errebo was taken into custody on Aug. 8, several hours after a head-on collision in Saline County near the intersection of South Reese Road and K-140 Highway.

According to the Saline County Sheriff ’s Office, at around 5:35 a.m., a Chevrolet truck was traveling east on K-140 and was struck head-on by Errebo’s westbound Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The crash killed 55-year-old Deanna Sommerfeld, Brookville, and 61-year-old Mark Sommerfeld, Brookville, suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Errebo suffered minor injuries and left the scene. She was later located at an address in Ellsworth and arrested at around 8:26 a.m.

Errebo was previously arrested at least twice in 2024 for allegedly driving while intoxicated.

She is not facing a DUI charge in connection with the fatal crash, but is facing two felony and four misdemeanor charges which include:

• Second Degree Murder — Felony

• Aggravated Battery — Felony

• Failure to Report an Accident — Misdemeanor

• Reckless Driving — Misdemeanor

• Operating a vehicle without a required ignition interlock device — Misdemeanor

• Improper Driving on a Laned Road — Traffic Violation A judge set Errobo’s bond at $1 million, and she is still being held in the Saline County Detention Center as of press time.

Errobo’s preliminary hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday in Courtroom 301 at the Saline County Courhouse.

Katzenmeier’s next court date is at 3 p.m. Sept. 29 in Courtroom 301.