Emergency crews had their hands full with a pair of injury accidents that developed in less than 30 minutes in the same vicinity and sent two people to the hospital
According to Lyon County Detective Eric Williams, emergency crews were called to mile marker 135 southbound on I-35, just east of Road R1 for a reported non-injury accident just before 2:30 pm. According to Williams, a red 2010 Chevy Silverado, driven by 30-year-old Carlis Bernard Hawkins Jr of Wichita was southbound when his passenger tire “failed” causing him to rearend a 2021 Freighter semi driven by 31-year-old Rustar Ampar of Wheeling, Illinois.
Ampar declined medical treatment at the scene, however, an unnamed passenger in the pickup required transport by ambulance. Just before 2:50 pm a second accident would unfold in the same area after a 2000 Chrysler Sebring driven by 69-year-old Michael Springeman of Burlington swerved to avoid two yielded vehicles and struck a 2000 Honda Pilot driven by 56-year-old Julie Paidar of Maple Grove, Minnesota.
The impact caused the Sebring to roll and left Springeman trapped temporarily. Emergency crews managed to extricate Springeman who was transported to Newman with suspected minor injuries.
Paidar and two passengers, 27-year-old Briana Paidar and 25-year-old Meghan Paidar also of Maple Grove, Minnesota, were all examined at the scene but refused further treatment.
The second crash is under further investigation by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, but inattentive driving is believed to be the cause.
3:28 pm FRIDAY:
Emergency crews are currently responding to an apparent injury accident reportedly involving a semi east of Emporia.
According to Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch, the accident was reported just before 2:30 pm in the area of I-35 mile marker 136 southbound, roughly four miles east of the Emporia city limits. Full details are currently pending, however, initial indications are that the accident developed after a pickup truck collided with a semi in the area.
KVOE News has received photos indicating other vehicles were involved, however, specifics are still pending an investigation. Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies, Emporia/Lyon County EMS, Emporia Police and the Kansas Highway Patrol have all responded to the scene.
Word on traffic adjustments is currently pending.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as they become available.
