Man killed, woman hurt when tractor-trailers collide on Kansas Turnpike
Authorities say a man was killed and a woman suffered critical injuries when one tractor-trailer crashed into another on the Kansas Turnpike.
The accident happened at around 1 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 35 north of the Belle Plaine service area. The Kansas Highway Patrol says both trucks were heading south when an axle on the leading rig seized and the driveshaft broke. The second truck then struck the rear of the first.
A passenger in the second truck, 49-year-old Stanley Sims, of Waldron, Arkansas, died at the scene. The 45-year-old woman driving the truck was transported to a Wichita hospital.
Two people in truck that had the mechanical failure were not hurt.
The Kansas Turnpike Authority shut down all lanes of traffic as they investigated and worked to clear the scene.
KTA ALERT I35 MM 27 s near Belle Plaine, left lane is now open.
— Kansas Turnpike (@KansasTurnpike) November 21, 2019
Trooper Davon Brame said there was another wreck caused by debris. One SUV rear-ended another, but no one was seriously hurt.