Man, 18, killed in southeast Wichita crash

An 18-year-old man died Thursday when his vehicle crashed "semi head-on" into a truck on East Pawnee under the Kansas Turnpike, Wichita police said.

Capt. Brent Allred said the man was driving westbound on Pawnee when he lost control for an unknown reason and struck an eastbound truck about 5:15 p.m. The vehicle then crashed into a concrete pillar beneath the turnpike overpass, he said. Witnesses told police the man was traveling at a high rate of speed when the crash occurred, Allred said.

The man — the sole occupant of the westbound vehicle — was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released.

The driver of the truck, also a man, suffered minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital for treatment, Allred said.

Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the accident to call 911 or 316-268-4132.

Pawnee remains closed from McAdams to Woodlawn while officers work the scene. Drivers are advised to avoid the area into the late evening.