Geary Co., KS (March 31, 2026) – A crash involving a semi-truck left a pedestrian seriously injured early Sunday morning, March 29, along Interstate 70 near Milford Lake Road.
The incident occurred around 4:28 a.m. in the westbound lanes near milepost 290.8. According to reports, a Nissan Altima was legally parked on the right shoulder when a Freightliner semi traveling westbound struck the person associated with the parked vehicle. The impact happened near the shoulder area of the highway.
The pedestrian, identified as 20-year-old Austin J. McIntosh of Topeka, was taken to a hospital with suspected serious injuries. The semi driver, 49-year-old Jose P. Posada of Clovis, New Mexico, was not hurt in the crash.
Traffic in the area may have been affected as crews responded and assisted at the scene. Additional details about the events leading up to the crash have not been released.
The crash remains under investigation. Additional details may become available as authorities continue their review. Our thoughts are with those affected as they continue to recover.
Why Stopped Vehicles on Highways Can Be Dangerous
Highways are designed for continuous, high-speed travel, which can make stopped vehicles especially risky. Even when a vehicle is legally parked on the shoulder, passing drivers may have limited time to react.
Low visibility during early morning hours can further increase the danger. Drivers may not immediately notice a stopped vehicle or a person outside of it, especially if lighting is poor.
Large vehicles like semi-trucks require longer distances to slow down or stop. This can make it harder to avoid obstacles near the roadway, increasing the risk of serious incidents when someone is outside their vehicle.
