The accident on the Kansas Turnpike that closed down traffic for a significant time Tuesday was the result of multiple accidents in a roughly two-hour time period.
According to Kansas Highway Patrol Master Trooper Luis Erives the situation was the result of roughly 8 accidents that occurred in the vicinity of KTA mile marker 116 southbound, 11 miles southwest of Emporia, starting with three crashes just after 10 am.
The accidents and response led to traffic being closed in both directions from the Emporia Turnpike exit at mile marker 127 to El Dorado. Southbound traffic is still being detoured at last word around the 116 accident site starting at the 127 on-ramp going west towards Florence and then south towards El Dorado where motorists can re-enter the turnpike.
According to Emporia Fire, seven individuals were transported from the scene to Newman Regional Health, five by EFD and two by Techs EMS. This accident followed another injury crash in Coffey County earlier in the day that sent three Texas residents to the hospital.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol crash log, the accident occurred at 9:15 a.m. at Interstate 35 mile marker 154.2, one mile west of Beto Junction.
KHP reports a 2020 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado were traveling southbound on I-35 when the driver of the Camry, 35-year-old Yasmany Viera of Rockford, Texas lost control of the vehicle and entered the left lane striking the Silverado driven by 37-year-old Matthew Mangan of Arcadia, Oklahoma. The Silverado spun out, struck the north guardrail and came to a rest in the middle of the southbound lane.
Viera and two passengers, 30-year-old Etneisy Viera and 11-year-old Genesis Viera both of Rockford, Texas, were taken to Newman Regional Health with suspected minor injuries. Mangan was not injured.
All involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
With this in mind, Trooper Erives says if drivers can avoid travel at this time, it is best to do so, however, if you cannot you need to take several precautions.
According to KanDrive.gov, all major highways in the KVOE listening area are either partially to completely snow covered and will likely remain so until after snowfall concludes. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more weather updates and details as warranted throughout the week.
4:45 pm Tuesday: Emporia turnpike exit closed until further notice, seven people hospitalized following multi-vehicle accident on Kansas Turnpike southwest of Emporia
Emporia Fire says seven people were taken to Newman Regional Health after a multi-vehicle accident southwest of Emporia, leading to a major local travel adjustment.
Emporia Police advised KVOE News that the accident may have begun as a single incident that quickly escalated into a multi-vehicle situation due to the ongoing winter storm. Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the reported accident at mile marker 116, 11 miles southwest of Emporia, according to Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch around 1:10 pm.
EPD was later called in to assist with traffic control as Emporia Police Captain Ray Mattas says deputies were having trouble getting vehicles stopped. The decision was then made to close Emporia’s turnpike exit at mile marker 127 until further notice.
Emporia Fire took five people to Newman Regional, while Techs EMS transported two. Names and other information have not been released.
Traffic is being detoured around the milepost 116 accident site starting at the 127 on-ramp going west towards Florence and then south towards El Dorado where motorists can re-enter the turnpike. KVOE News has reached out to local and state officials for additional details including the number of vehicles involved in the 116 crash and any potential injuries.
Earlier Tuesday, a separate accident in Coffey County sent three Texas residents to the hospital. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol crash log, the accident occurred at 9:15 a.m. at Interstate 35 mile marker 154.2, one mile west of Beto Junction.
KHP reports a 2020 Toyota Camry and a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado were traveling southbound on I-35 when the driver of the Camry, 35-year-old Yasmany Viera of Rockford, Texas lost control of the vehicle and entered the left lane striking the Silverado driven by 37-year-old Matthew Mangan of Arcadia, Oklahoma. The Silverado spun out, struck the north guardrail and came to a rest in the middle of the southbound lane.
Viera and two passengers, 30-year-old Etneisy Viera and 11-year-old Genesis Viera both of Rockford, Texas, were taken to Newman Regional Health with suspected minor injuries. Mangan was not injured.
All involved were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more information as it becomes available.
