May 14, 2023

One hospitalized after I-70 crash and fire

Posted May 14, 2023 8:00 PM

GEARY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Sunday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Chevy passenger vehicle driven by Charles Wayne Lynch, 41, Wichita Falls, Texas merged onto  onto eastbound Interstate 70 near Washington Street from the on ramp and came to a complete stop in the left lane.

A 2017 Chevy Silverado driven by Shelby Noel Freitas, 30, Palmyra, Indiana, and puling a fifth wheel was eastbound in the left lane of Interstate 70, rapidly approaching the Chevy.

The Silverado started to brake hard to avoid striking the Chevy. A 2024 Kenworth semi driven by Christopher M. Sacher, 48, Abilene was also  eastbound in the left lane behind the Silverado.

The Kenworth started to brake hard, swerved to avoid the Silverado but struck the fifth wheel the Silverado was towing. The impact caused the trailer to catch fire.

EMS transported Freitas to the Geary County Hospital.  There were no other injuries. All three drivers and a passenger in the Silverado were properly restrained, according to the KHP.