THURSDAY UPDATE: The Kansas Highway Patrol worked an injury accident on Wednesday, May 10 in western Saline County.
The KHP report indicates that the accident occurred 2:05 pm, on I-70 at mile marker 248 westbound, or 2 miles west of the intersection of I-70 and I-135. A 2021 Dodge Durango, driven by KHP Trooper Steven Sneath of Geneseo, Kansas, was legally stopped on the westbound shoulder of I-70 near mile marker 249 performing a motorist assist, with the patrol vehicle's emergency lights activated. A 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, being driven by a 61-year-old male from Rock Springs, Wyoming, was westbound on I-70 when it entered the shoulder lane and struck the rear of the patrol vehicle.
Both drivers were transported to SRHC with suspected minor injuries. Trooper Ben with the Kansas Highway Patrol tells Salina311 that Trooper Sneath has been with KHP for at least 20 years. He was transported to SRHC while alert and conscious, and is moving forward after yesterday's accident.
From the Kansas Highway Patrol FB Page:
This afternoon, a KHP Trooper's patrol vehicle was struck while assisting a motorist on I-70 Westbound in Saline County. Our Trooper is currently alert and conscious; however, he was initially trapped inside his vehicle.
This is always a scary scenario that could have been much worse.
Kansas Law requires all drivers to move over or slow down for emergency personnel and road crews when flashing lights are visible. Only three feet separate emergency personnel from traffic moving at highway speeds, and there's only so much emergency personnel can do to keep themselves safe when they pull over on the side of the road.
Please do your part to help our Troopers go home to their loved ones. You can make a difference and help save someone's life by moving over and slowing down.
From the Kansas Highway Patrol Troop C FB Page:
Shortly after 2 pm, a KHP patrol vehicle was struck while assisting a motorist on I-70 Westbound at milepost 249, or the Halstead exit. Our Trooper is alert and conscious. The Westbound lanes of I-70 at milepost 249 are closed due to the accident.
