MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
A mother in Moundridge is seeking change after her son was injured in a crash that killed two other people. It happened Thursday night just west of Moundridge at the intersection of Old Highway 81 and Arrowhead Road.
We spoke with the mother of the 19-year-old man injured in Thursday’s crash about what she says needs to happen to make the intersection safer.
The McPherson County Sheriff’s Office said a Toyota Corolla driven by 63-year-old Danny Health, of Hutchinson, was stopped at the intersection. In the passenger seat was 30-year-old Mariah Lyddane, also of Hutchinson. The sheriff’s office said the crash happened when Heath pulled out in front of Kaleb’s pickup.
Lyddane died at the scene. Heath died Friday morning in the hospital.
Nelson tells us that it is a busy intersection. “So one way will take you to McPherson. The opposite direction takes you to Heston. And if you go straight from Moundridge, you can get to Inman and Hutchison. So like, if I want to go to Hutch that's the way that I take. If I want to go to Inman, I take that route too, but I don't typically take it myself to go to Heston or McPherson. I prefer the interstate.”
She says that it's not the first fatality. “Um, too many people have died there. In 2016 of a nine-year-old boy named Maddox died there. Same type of situation”
Nelson added, “Yes, per my understanding, it's been multiple fatalities.”
She said it’s also a problem for surrounding communities.
“No more people should have to lose their lives because they are commuting between communities,” Nelson said.
Her online petition elaborates on the concerns:
“This devastating event is not isolated. This dangerous intersection has been a known hazard for some time. The intersection’s design and its geographic positioning create poor visibility and unexpected hazards, increasing the risk of accidents like the one that will change our lives forever. Too many families have suffered needless loss because of insufficient infrastructure. According to local traffic reports and resident testimonies, there have been numerous accidents and close calls at this very spot. It's not just a crossing; it's a risk that we all face every time we drive through this area. Statistics show that intersections account for a high number of traffic injuries and fatalities, and without intervention, this treacherous spot becomes a continued hazard.”
When we asked about Kaleb, Nelson tells us, “Obviously, he could be doing better. He's struggling. Even though he's 19, and the law states, states he's an adult, he's still a teenager and still a kid, in my opinion,”
It's definitely going to be a long road.
Nelson adds that Kaleb definitely has a lot of pain and grief and even some guilt for what happened. It's been a rough couple of days for all of us.
Hutch Post has reached out to the McPherson County Sheriff’s office and the Kansas Highway Patrol for statistics about this intersection. We will let you know what we find out.