Feb 05, 2022

Wreck that blocked K-14 kills two

Posted Feb 05, 2022 10:58 AM

RENO COUNTY — The Reno County Sheriff's Office asked for traffic to detour for several hours Friday after what turned out to be a double fatal crash on K-14.

Two people died in an accident just after 4 p.m. Friday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Ford Mustang driven by 17-year-old Matthew H. Monroe of Nickerson was southbound on Kansas 14 three miles south of Nickerson.

As traffic was slowing down, the Ford rear-ended a 2002 Mitsubishi Galant driven by 30-year-old Alexander K. Dennis of Junction City.  The impact forced the Mitsubishi to enter into the northbound lanes. 

A northbound 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by 60-year-old Clarence R. Messick of Saint John, struck the Mitsubishi.  The Mitsubishi then struck the trailer of a 2009 Chevy Suburban driven by 52-year-old Jeffery W. Mehl of Hutchinson.

After impact, the semi continued north, jackknifed on the west shoulder and struck a 2022 Ram truck driven by 38-year-old Casey D. Gamble of  Hutchinson.

EMS transported Dennis and Messick to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, where Dennis was pronounced dead. A passenger in the Mitsubishi, 13-year-old Teagan Lomax of South Hutchinson, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Monroe, Mehl, 5 passengers in the Chevy and Gamble were not injured. The occupants of the Mitsubishi were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.