A Missouri man was killed during a wreck in a Kansas Turnpike construction zone Monday.
The wreck happened shortly before 4:40 pm at mile marker 126.1 northbound, less than a mile southwest of the Emporia gate and part of the extended lane closure zone after an over-height load on US Highway 50 damaged the understructure of a bridge April 18.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says 60-year-old Richard Schroeder of Saint Joseph, Missouri, was riding a motorcycle northbound, while 26-year-old Josue Chapa of Rio Grande, Texas, was following in a car. Both were in the inside lane to avoid the lane closure affecting the outside lane. For unlisted reasons, Chapa’s car rear-ended Schroeder’s motorcycle and caused Schroeder to fall off.
Schroeder was not wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead soon after the crash. Chapa was not hurt.
Northbound traffic was brought to a complete stop before the Turnpike Authority allowed traffic to exit at its floodgates near mile marker 122.
9 pm Monday: Certain details pending after fatal wreck reported southwest of Emporia
An investigation is ongoing into a fatal crash on the Kansas Turnpike near Emporia late Monday afternoon.
The accident involved two vehicles, a Honda Motorcycle and a red Mazda SUV, and was reported just before 4:40 pm at mile marker 126 northbound on the KTA. According to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Daniel Delgadillo, both vehicles were traveling northbound and entered the construction zone that’s been in place since an oversized load damaged the northbound bridge nearly a month ago on April 18, which completely closed the right northbound lane.
As both vehicles entered the left lane, the Mazda rear-ended the motorcycle, leading to the crash. The motorcycleist, name and hometown not yet released, suffered fatal injuries as a result.
No injuries were reported to the driver of the Mazda or their three passengers, names and hometowns also not yet released. Northbound traffic on the Turnpike was diverted for four miles around the accident scene, starting at mile marker 122, for two and a half hours.
KHP is leading the investigation. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more details as they become available.
7:40 pm Monday: One dead following car v motorcyle accident on Kansas Turnpike Monday afternoon
Full details are pending, however, one fatality has been confirmed after an accident involving a car and motorcycle Monday afternoon in Lyon County.
First responders from Emporia as well as the Kansas Highway Patrol, were called to mile marker 126 northbound on the Turnpike just before 4:40 pm. Crash details have not been announced, however, the Emporia Fire Department has confirmed to KVOE News that one person was killed in the accident.
Northbound traffic was closed in both lanes as a result of the accident. The crash is currently under investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media will have updates as they are made available.
