Smoke from nearby grass fires was a factor in Tuesday’s injury crash on the Kansas Turnpike in western Lyon County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says the wreck happened near mile marker 122, or five miles southwest of Emporia, shortly before 5 pm. Because of smoke blowing across the highway, 70-year-old Gary Craig of Culver, Indiana, had slowed to around 10 mph when his SUV was hit by a pickup driven by 75-year-old James Jacobus of Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
Craig and a passenger, 69-year-old Carolyn Craig, were both taken to Newman Regional Health with suspected minor injuries. Jacobus was not hurt. All involved were wearing seatbelts when the crash happened.
Separately, smoke from the Flint Hills drifted to the west at times Tuesday, prompting Wichita to issue an air quality advisory that has since expired.
The Lyon County Emergency Communications Center reports 126 controlled burns were reported to authorities from 8 am to 8 pm Tuesday on top of the 53 controlled burns reported Monday. Conditions will not be so favorable for burns Wednesday with gusty south winds as high as 30 mph before shower and thunderstorm chances enter the forecast, although rekindling is a possibility with wind speeds that high.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
6 pm Tuesday: Two people transported following two-vehicle accident on Kansas Turnpike
Details are still pending, however, the Emporia Fire Department has confirmed two individuals were transported following an injury accident on the Kansas Turnpike.
Emergency crews were toned out to KTA mile marker 121.6 shortly after 5 pm Tuesday. According to the Emporia Fire Department, a northbound pickup truck was hauling a trailer and ran into an SUV.
The collision caused the SUV to roll and the two occupants inside were taken to Newman Regional Health with currently undisclosed injuries. There is currently no word on if the driver of the pickup was hurt.
EFD tells KVOE News the accident was caused by low visibility due to burning in the area. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more details as they become available.
