TOPEKA, Kan. — Washburn University men’s basketball coach Brett Ballard, a Hutchinson native and Hutchinson High School graduate, was seriously injured Tuesday night in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 470 in southeast Topeka.
The crash occurred shortly after 8:15 p.m. on the Kansas Turnpike, just west of the I-470 and Interstate 70 interchange.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Ballard was driving west in a 2024 Ford F-150 when the truck left the roadway, struck a delineator post and an embankment, then collided with a bridge pillar.
Ballard, 46, was the only person in the vehicle. He was taken to Stormont Vail Hospital with serious injuries. The patrol said he was wearing a seat belt.
Washburn University President JuliAnn Mazachek released a statement Wednesday morning asking the community to support Ballard, his family and the men’s basketball program.
“We are deeply saddened to share that Coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a car accident last evening,” Mazachek said. “Our hearts are with Coach Ballard, his family, the men’s basketball program and all who are affected during this difficult time.
“We ask our community to keep them in their thoughts during this time of recovery and to respect the family’s privacy. The university will share additional information when appropriate.”
No additional information about Ballard’s condition was immediately available.