MERIDEN, Kan. – A Kansas veteran killed in an early morning rollover crash in Jefferson County has been identified.
Authorities say 69-year-old Gary D. Kirkwood of Topeka lost control of his vehicle and struck a pole at the intersection of NE 82nd Street and Sherman Road near Meriden around 1:45 a.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
KVOE has confirmed that Kirkwood was part of the USD 245 Southern Coffey County Honor Flight departing Thursday from Kansas City to Washinton, D.C. Authorities have not confirmed whether Kirkwood was part of the contingent that left Emporia’s American Legion Post 5.
Kirkwood was a trustee and lifetime active member of the VFW with Post 10815 in Meriden.