Kansas Interstate Pileup Claims Eight Lives

Interstate 70 in western Kansas became a chaotic scene after high winds blew dust, cutting visibility, resulting in over 50 vehicles crashing into each other on March 14. A total of eight are confirmed dead with dozens injured, some seriously.

Georgia man does the Dukes of Hazzard jump in real life.

The pileup prompted authorities to shut I-70 down in both directions as visibility at times was near zero feet. Other highways were shut down by the Kansas Department of transportation thanks to the same risk, reports KSNT.

Photos of the pileup aftermath look horrific. We don’t expect authorities will have that stretch of I-70 cleared for some time as an extensive investigation into what happened is conducted.

Goodland Fire Chief Brian James said March 14 “was the toughest and most emotional draining experience in my 22 years of being in the fire service.” He described in a Facebook post how difficult it was to manage the chaotic scene with over 55 vehicles involved in the pileup, over 30 patients to triage, plus safety concerns thanks to the wind-driven dust in the air cutting visibility down to 50 to 100 feet.

The deadly pileup in Kansas happened one day after another one in northern Arizona. A total of 22 cars were involved in a crash on Interstate 40 near Williams on March 13, killing two.

That incident is being blamed on a snowstorm. An investigation concluded what started it was a semi-truck jackknifing, blocking the westbound lanes. Other vehicles failed to stop on the snowy, icy interstate, colliding with the truck and each other.

As a driver, you always have to read for literally anything. That means staying free from distractions and staying aware of your surroundings. We’re not sure if that would’ve changed the outcome in the Kansas event, because it sounds like visibility suddenly went to essentially nothing, but it’s wise to stay vigilant.

Images via Brian James/Facebook