State records eight fatalities in 18 hours

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Nov 10, 2006 by Phil Anderson

By Phil Anderson

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Fatality accidents in Kansas have decreased in each of the past four years, and state officials say they hope the trend continues in 2006.

But after eight people died in accidents statewide in an 18-hour period from 9 a.m. Wednesday to 3 a.m. Thursday, Kansas Highway Patrol officials expressed concern that the downward trend could be in jeopardy.

Lt. John Eichkorn, spokesman with the Kansas Highway Patrol, said it was unusual to see so many fatality accidents in such a short time.

"You don't usually see that all at once," Eichkorn said. "The weather has been good during this period."

In 2002, the state recorded 507 traffic fatalities. That number has steadily declined, with 469 in 2003, 459 in 2004 and 428 in 2005.

"Each one of those numbers represents a life," Eichkorn said. "That's something none of us can forget."

According to authorities, fatality accidents occurred at the following locations.

n\u2002At 9:17 a.m. Wednesday in Stafford County, at the junction of K-19 and US-281 highways about 11 miles north of St. John, Brian Burton, 27, of Larned, was killed when his car, which was eastbound on K-19, ran a stop sign at the US-281 intersection. Burton's car then ran underneath a trailer being pulled northbound on US-281 by a Freightlliner semi-truck driven by Michael L. Naw, 51, of Great Bend. Naw wasn't injured.

n\u2002At 10:05 a.m. Wednesday in Kansas City, Kan., Travis J. Rausch, 26, of Parkville, Mo., died when the 1998 Jeep Wrangler he was driving at the Interstate 70-670 split left the eastbound roadway on Interstate 70, went up an embankment and vaulted, before rolling and coming to rest in an eastbound lane of I-70. No other injuries were reported.

n\u2002At 2:04 p.m. Wednesday in Seward County, at US-54 highway and Road P, a 2002 Dodge four-door car being driven south on Road P by Martha Mendoza, 37, of Garden City, struck a train. Mendoza was killed, as were two occupants in her vehicle, Estela Aceves, 54, of Garden City, and Brenda Ruvaltab, 4, of Garden City.

n\u2002At 5:05 p.m. Wednesday at the K-254 highway and Rock Road intersection in Wichita, Gary D. Kroeker, 55, of Towanda, was killed when his 1998 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which was eastbound on K- 254, collided with a 2000 Ford Ranger, driven by Benjamin C. McDaniel, 16, of Park City. The highway patrol said Kroeker wasn't wearing a helmet. The Ford Ranger pulled in front of the motorcycle after stopping at a northbound stop sign on Rock Road, the patrol said. Neither McDaniel nor a passenger in his vehicle, Ashley M. Blanton, 17, of Valley Center, were injured.

n\u2002At 8 p.m. Wednesday in Wichita, authorities said a 26- year-old man was killed when a motorcycle he was driving at a high rate of speed crashed into a car at the intersection of Kellogg and West streets. The victim wasn't wearing a helmet.

n\u2002At 3:05 a.m. Thursday in Kansas City, Kan., Jesse D. Lamison, 21, of Buckner, Mo., was killed when he lost control of his 2006 Ford four-door automobile, which was westbound on the Southwest Boulevard ramp to Interstate 35. Lamison's car rolled onto its top and struck the bridge rail, the patrol said. The vehicle then came to rest on the bridge rail.

Eichkorn said some of the fatality victims on Wednesday and Thursday died while wearing seat belts. While wearing seat belts is considered one of the best safety measures motorists and passengers can take, sometimes even that isn't enough to prevent a fatality, Eichkorn said.

In addition to wearing seat belts, Eichkorn said, drivers can help ensure optimal safety for themselves and their passengers by putting their children in safety seats, driving sober and being alert behind the wheel.

Phil Anderson can be reached

at (785) 295-1195

or phil.anderson@cjonline.com.