Icy Roads Blamed For For Fatal Crashes
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Updated: 5:51 PM Dec 23, 2008
Icy Roads Blamed For For Fatal Crashes
One of those killed has been identified as 61-year-old Hal McMaster of El Dorado.
Posted: 9:41 AM Dec 23, 2008
Reporter: Abby Barnett
Email Address: abby.barnett@kake.com
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Slick road conditions are being blamed for a series of accidents in Southern Kansas, including two fatal accidents.

One man was killed on the Kansas Turnpike. The crash scene is at mile marker 27 near Belle Plaine in the northbound lanes. The Kansas Turnpike Authority said a 39-year-old man was killed, and a 9-year-old boy was seriously hurt after being ejected from the vehicle.

Cowley County authorities reported a fatal accident at the intersection of US-77 and K-15. A 1998 Ford passenger van left the highway crashed near a field and caught fire.

KHP has identified the victim as 61-year-old Hal C. McMaster of El Dorado. McMaster was a resident of Winfield-based Creative Community living. He lived in a facility in El Dorado.

The van McMaster was riding in was southbound on U.S. 77 highway near the K-15 junction when the driver lost control, left the roadway and struck a tree. The van burst into flames and trapped some of the occupants inside.

Noah Lagat, 37, El Dorado, was identified as the driver of the Ford van. He is an employee at Creative Community Living. He was transported Via Christi St. Francis. Lagat was treated and released, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Greg Brammer, 19, El Dorado, was a passenger in the van and also a resident at the El Dorado facility. He was taken to St. Francis for treatment. Brammer was listed in fair condition.

US-400 in Butler County is also a problem area. Several semis have slid off the highway, causing a traffic mess. The accident location is near mile marker 319, west of Beaumont. Highway Patrol dispatchers said the highway remains open.

At 10:00 a.m., Interstate 35 was reported as completely snow or ice covered from Emporia to Ottawa.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Department reopened a stretch of
U.S. 169 after treating slick pavement blamed on several accidents
and slide-offs. Deputies say they're still working weather-related
crashes around the county.

The Kansas Department of Transportation reports no
weather-related closings, but warns that many roads are icy and
snowpacked, snowy or slushy. Most of the hazardous driving is in
eastern and southern Kansas.

  • The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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