Apr 05, 2023

Sheriff: Driver in fatal Kansas crash did not have valid license

Posted Apr 05, 2023 10:00 PM
Photo Barton Co. Sheriff
Photo Barton Co. Sheriff

 BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3p.m. Tuesday in   Barton County.

According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, a Mazda 3, driven by Holly Crum, 26 of Great Bend, was eastbound on Northeast 30 Road, approaching the intersection at US 281.

The driver  attempted to make a left turn to go northbound on US 281 but did not see a southbound  2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by 70-year-old Bernard Kruse of Hoisington.

The Harley-Davidson struck the front left fender of the Mazda. Kruse was ejected from the motorcycle coming to rest in the west ditch. Kruse was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Kruse was transported to the hospital in Great Bend and and later flown to a Wichita area hospital. He died on Wednesday, according to Bellendir. Crum and a passenger were also transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Both were treated and released.

The accident is still under investigation. Potential charges are awaiting review by the Barton County Attorney’s Office. Crum did not have a valid Kansas driver’s license at the time of the accident. Other traffic was present at the time of the collision and may have obscured Crum’s view, according to Bellendir.