A wreck involving a pickup and semi near Emporia on Monday morning initially led to fears of significant injury for one person hospitalized, but Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Tony Fuller says the crash victim was actually treated and released.
The wreck happened at 9:10 am at Kansas Turnpike mile marker 124, three miles southwest of the Emporia tollgate. The Kansas Highway Patrol says a pickup driven by 43-year-old Joshua Mantooth of El Dorado was northbound, while a semi driven by 64-year-old Jeffrey Kingsolver of Vassar was southbound. The crash happened in a construction zone as part of ongoing bridge work southwest of Emporia.
The investigation indicates Mantooth went off the highway, hit multiple construction signs and then crossed into oncoming traffic. Initially, the wreck was listed as a head-on collision, but the Highway Patrol crash log says Kingsolver swerved into the northbound lane and was sideswiped by Mantooth’s pickup. Mantooth’s vehicle then continued northbound and hit a barrier wall, damaging two sections.
Mantooth was taken by ambulance to Newman Regional Health.
Plans were discussed at first to launch a medical helicopter from Emporia to the scene. Those were then adjusted to have an ambulance transport to Newman Regional Health for an airlift. Ultimately, neither plan was needed.
Kingsolver was not hurt in the wreck.
3:30 pm Monday: El Dorado man suffers potentially serious injuries after pickup, semi collide on Kansas Turnpike southwest of Emporia
An El Dorado man suffered potentially serious injuries after a crash on the Kansas Turnpike near Emporia on Monday.
The wreck happened at 9:10 am at mile marker 124, three miles southwest of the Emporia tollgate. The Kansas Highway Patrol says a pickup driven by 43-year-old Joshua Mantooth of El Dorado was northbound, while a semi driven by 64-year-old Jeffrey Kingsolver of Vassar was southbound. The crash happened in a construction zone as part of ongoing bridge work southwest of Emporia.
The investigation indicates Mantooth went off the highway, hit multiple construction signs and then crossed into oncoming traffic. Initially, the wreck was listed as a head-on collision, but the Highway Patrol crash log says Kingsolver swerved into the northbound lane and was sideswiped by Mantooth’s pickup. Mantooth’s vehicle then continued northbound and hit a barrier wall, damaging two sections.
Mantooth was taken by ambulance to Newman Regional Health. There were plans discussed to airlift Mantooth to another hospital, but the crash log does not indicate any transfer. Kingsolver was not hurt. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.
11:30 am Monday: One person hospitalized after head-on crash between pickup, semi on Kansas Turnpike near Emporia
One person has been taken from the site of an injury crash southwest of Emporia on Monday morning.
The crash was reported just before 9:20 am on the Kansas Turnpike at mile marker 124 southbound, or three miles southwest of the Emporia tollgate. The Kansas Turnpike Authority has confirmed a semi and pickup collided head-on in a construction zone, sending one person in the pickup to Newman Regional Health for treatment.
Southbound traffic has now reopened after about an hour’s worth of cleanup. Northbound traffic opened later.
Bridge construction has been underway for several weeks southwest of Emporia.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
9:30 am Monday: Injury crash reported on Kansas Turnpike southwest of Emporia
Emergency crews and local authorities are on the scene of a reported injury crash just southwest of Emporia.
The crash was reported just before 9:20 am on the Kansas Turnpike at mile marker 124 southbound, or three miles southwest of the Emporia tollgate. Early indications are a pickup and semi collided head-on in a construction zone, with at least two patients involved.
Additional details are pending, but northbound traffic is reported as being halted in addition to southbound traffic. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
