Fatal traffic crash reported in KCK

A tractor-trailer driver died Tuesday morning when he braked to avoid another vehicle and his cargo shifting forward and crushed him, according to Kansas City, Kan., police.

The Kansas Highway Patrol identified the victim as 45-year-old William R. Ferguson Jr. of Leavenworth.

The wreck occurred about 9 a.m. Tuesday at 78th Street and Kaw Drive.

According to police, the truck was westbound on Kaw Drive when another vehicle pulled in front of it. When Ferguson braked to avoid hitting the other vehicle, the load of plywood on his open-bed trailer shifted forward, police said.

The other driver, a 79-year-old woman from Basehor, Kan., was not injured, according to the patrol.

Troopers with the Kansas Highway Patrol are investigating the crash.

Tony Rizzo, trizzo@kcstar.com

This story was originally published February 17, 2015 at 9:40 AM with the headline "Fatal traffic crash reported in KCK."