DOUGLAS COUNTY – Three Lawrence Patrol Officers escaped injury Thursday night when a jeep crashed into a patrol vehicle that was blocking traffic on Interstate 70, accoring to Lawrence Police spokesperson Laura McCabe.
The 20-year-old driver of the jeep was seriously injured but his injuries are not considered life-threatening. He was communicating with officers on scene immediately after the crash.
Just before 11:30p.m. Thursday, fficers were called to direct traffic off I-70 at the U.S. 59 exit because a semi crashed earlier and was blocking Intertate 70 near the K-10 exit. The officers were not in their patrol vehicles, which were already set in place with flashing lights to detour motorists. The officers were also using flashlights and hand signals to direct traffic while wearing reflective vests.
One officer was turned away from the oncoming vehicle while gathering supplies from her trunk and did not see the jeep heading toward them. Another officer yelled for her to get out of the way as he ran toward, then jumped, the median’s concrete barrier. The patrol vehicle spun around then came to a rest just feet before hitting the third officer. After the impact, the jeep hit the concrete barrier and came to rest about 10 feet from the initial impact.
Officers called for emergency backup and paramedics while assessing the driver’s injuries. The driver was later transported to an area trauma center.
Both cars were towed from the scene with significant damage. We do not know if impairment was a factor. The crash investigation is being conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol.