JACKSON COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating an injury accident involving a tow truck driver that occurred just after 6a.m. Thursday in Jackson County.
A 2014 Dodge Challenger hydroplaned and slid into the median near 118th Road on U.S. Highway 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.
A sheriff’s deputy responded to check on the vehicle and driver. An area tow truck arrived to pull the vehicle out of the median. The vehicles of both first responders had their emergency lights activated, according to the KHP.
A northbound 1997 Dodge Caravan driven by Tyler Allen Morrison, 33, Topeka, failed to yield to the emergency vehicles while traveling in the passing lane, according to the KHP. The van nearly struck the deputy’s patrol vehicle and drove into the median, according to Morse.
As the van passed between tow truck and the disabled Dodge, it struck the tow truck's cable for the vehicle that was being removed from the median, according to Morse.
The tow cable broke and struck the tow driver identified as Timothy Joseph Reino, 59, Holton, who was outside of the vehicle.
EMS transported Reion to a Topeka hospital for treatment. Morrison and two children in the van were properly restrained and not injured. One lane of northbound U.S. 75 highway was temporarily closed after the incident.