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Wichita, KS (August 18, 2026) – On Monday, August 17, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was injured in an early-morning crash involving a patrol vehicle and a semi on Interstate 135.
The crash happened shortly before 4 a.m. near the 1st St/2nd St exit of I-135 in downtown Wichita. Both vehicles were traveling southbound, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.
The trooper was heading toward southbound I-135 and US-54, where Wichita police were pursuing a vehicle reportedly traveling north in the southbound lanes. The trooper’s injuries were minor, and the Kansas Highway Patrol confirmed he was okay.
Morning commuters were diverted from I-135 at Central as disruptions on the highway continued for several hours. Further details about the circumstances leading to the first crash were not immediately available. The investigation into the circumstances of the collision remains underway.
We hope the injured trooper and the other person hurt in the wreck make a full recovery.
What Are the Risks of Crashes Involving Semi-Trucks?
Crashes involving semi-trucks can be more serious because commercial vehicles are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. Their size can also create large blind spots around the cab and trailer.
Drivers traveling near trucks should avoid staying beside them for long periods. Maintaining a safe following distance gives motorists more time to react if a truck changes lanes, slows suddenly, or encounters a roadway hazard.
Highway pursuits can create additional risks because vehicles may travel against normal traffic flow or move at high speeds. Drivers who encounter a wrong-way vehicle should avoid blocking or confronting it and should move away when possible.
After a collision, investigators may examine vehicle positions, roadway markings, video footage, and other physical evidence. These details can help establish how the vehicles moved before and during the crash.
