ELLSWORTH COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 6:30a.m. Wednesday in Ellsworth County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2018 Hino Box Truck driven by David E. Bridgeforth, 58, Tre, New Jersey, was westbound on Interstate 70 two miles west of 12th Road. The truck traveled off the road, entered the north ditch and the driver overcorrected. The truck rolled onto the passenger side and came to rest blocking both lanes of travel.
A westbound 2021 Freightliner semi driven by Iazizion Vafoev, 24, Trevosed, Pennsylvania, attempted to avoid the box truck. The semi struck the undercarriage beneath the cab of the box truck. The impact caused the truck to spin into the north ditch. The semi came to rest facing northwest in the north ditch.
Bridgeforth was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported Vafoev to Wesley Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.
------------
ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Westbound Interstate 70 is closed in Ellsworth County between Kansas 14 and Kansas 232 due to a semi crash, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.
At approximately 6:45a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol was notified of a serious crash involving two semis on Interstate 70 westbound just west of the Vesper exit in western Ellsworth County.
KDOT is on scene assisting with traffic control and rerouting.
The KHP’s Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) is also on-site. This specialized team of troopers is highly trained in accident reconstruction and works to provide clarity in serious crashes like this. Drivers should expect delays, seek alternate routes,
For updates and more info click here or call 511 in Kansas