GRANT COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal multi-vehicle crash during the December 15 wind storm have identified the victims.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Doyle Kauk, 78, Hoxie and Thomas Peterson, 55, Cimarron were outside of vehicles they were driving when they were struck and killed.
Just after noon Wednesday, a 2012 Peterbilt semi driven by Eliazar Degollado, 57, Ulysses, was eastbound on U.S. 160 eight miles west of Kansas 25 as high winds created reduced visibility.
The semi struck multiple vehicles involved in a crash just earlier. The other vehicles included a 1995 International semi driven by Daniel Rodriguez, 43, Ulysses; a 2019 Chevy Spark driven by Cara M. Geyer, 40, Ulysses; a 2007 GMC Yukon driven by Rodney A. Gregg, 22, Ulysses; a 2009 Ford Fire truck driven by Grant D. Unruh, 24, Ulysses; and a 2016 Ford ambulance driven by Jeffrey A. Baier 61, Ulysses.
Kauk and Peterson were outside of their vehicles including a 2018 Buick Enclave and 2020 Chevy Express.
EMS transported Degollado and Geyer to Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital. EMS transported Gregg the Stanton County Hospital.
Rodriguez was not injured. Baier, Unruh and passengers from the emergency vehicles were working the earlier crash and not injured. The KHP did not have seat belt usage details.