Emma Brungardt, reigning Miss Teen Rodeo Kansas 2024, was killed Friday (October 4) in a tragic car accident near Colby, Kansas.
Emma Brungardt, 19, was traveling in a Ford F-250 pickup with five others on a county road when the vehicle left the road and struck a row of trees. The truck rolled before landing upright. Emma was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and four other occupants were transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Family, friends, and members of the rodeo community took to social media to remember the Blue Rapids, Kansas, native and express their heartbreak over her passing.
Emma’s mom, Holly, shared news of the accident, saying, “We are devastated,” and asked for prayers for the family.
Colby Community College, where Emma was a student, remembered her as a “sweet soul” with a “positive attitude.”
“This is Emma Brungardt. She is from Blue Rapids Kansas and is majoring in equine management and production. Emma competes in goat tying, breakaway and team roping. Last night her along with 4 other team members and our work study were involved in a car accident. Unfortunately Emma did not walk away from this. We are praying for all families involved. Emma was a sweet soul who picked up other people and always had a positive attitude. Her light will live on in and around the rodeo arena,” the post read.
The Miss Rodeo Kansas pageant paid tribute to Emma as “a true gem and horsewoman who embodied what it meant to be a rodeo queen, always going above and beyond what was expected of her.”
Emma Brungardt is survived by her parents and five siblings. She was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph, who passed away in 2021.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Emma’s family with expenses. If you would like to contribute, click HERE.