31-year-old man killed in 7-vehicle crash involving disabled semi on I-35 in Merriam
The Kansas Highway Patrol says an Edgerton man was killed after his van struck the back of a disabled semi-truck, causing a chain reaction of collisions Tuesday morning on Interstate 35.
The wreck, which involved seven vehicles, was reported about 10:40 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-35, south of the 67th Street exit in Merriam.
According to the highway patrol’s online crash log, the disabled semi-truck was parked partially on the inside lane and on the shoulder.
A van traveling north in the inside lane hit the back of the semi. The impact caused the van to rotate and move into other lanes of traffic, according to the crash log.
One after another, five other vehicles crashed trying to avoid the collision.
Three vehicles, including the van, came to a rest in the northbound lanes while three other vehicles ended up on the outside shoulder.
The driver of the van died in the crash. He was identified by the highway patrol as Jesse S. Miller, 31, of Edgerton.
Two other drivers were taken to a hospital with serious injuries. A passenger in one of the vehicles was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Part of the interstate was closed for about six hours as the highway patrol investigated the crash.
Trooper Candice Breshears said on Twitter that the multi-vehicle crash remained under investigation Tuesday night.
