GEARY COUNTY – Two people were injured in an accident just after 4 p.m. on Friday in Geary County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 7 vehicles were westbound on Interstate 70 near two miles west of U.S. 77.
The visibility was minimal due to a dust storm. A 1998 Dodge Dakota driven by Alejandro Espinoza, 18, Abilene, and a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Tanner Hassell, 21, Leoti, collided causing a chain reaction.
Also involved in the accident a 2001 GMC Sonoma driven by David Geist 54, Hoxie.
A 2015 Dodge Dart driven by Casey Scott, 77, Santa Barbara, California.
A 2011 Ford F-150 driven by Terrance Huelsman, 55, Wichita.
A 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Jordan Davies, 28, Abilene.
A 2015 Jeep Cherokee driven by David Rupp, 78, Moundridge.
Geist was transported to Geary Community Hospital.
Davies was transported to the hospital in Abilene.
All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
UPDATE:
Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf has reported that traffic is flowing again on I-70 after approximately half dozen accidents occurred near mile marker 293 west of Junction City late Friday afternoon. Dust blowing off of a farm field caused extremely poor visibility at the scene and that led to the accidents.
Deputies in patrol cars are currently watching the area and trying to slow down motorists.
Wolf reported that one person suffered neck pain and another a broken ankle. One of the injured was taken to Geary Community Hospital in Junction City, and the other to Abilene Memorial Hospital. The sheriff noted the Kansas Highway Patrol worked the accidents, and the Geary County Sheriff’s Department assisted with traffic control. “Which was quite a nightmare out here. There was a farm field on the north side of I-70 that is dry, and the wind was blowing dust across the roadway, cutting down visibility to almost zero in most places out there in that about one-half mile stretch.”
Wolf noted there was a traffic pileup because of zero visibility, “and we had quite a mess out there for a short amount of time.”
The names of those involved in the accidents are not yet available.
——
I-70 westbound has been reopened near mile marker 293 and traffic is flowing again. The westbound lanes had been closed since about 4:20 due to wind related accidents.
A series of accidents have occurred on I-70 westbound near mile marker 293 approximately two miles west of Junction City. Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf reports that there have been approximately five to six accidents caused by dirt from a farm field blowing across the interstate. Traffic is backed up a considerable distance, and the westbound lane has been closed to traffic. It is still moving in the eastbound lane. Avoid this area if possible.