Wichita motorcycle rider dies after crashing into back of SUV that changed lanes, KHP says

A Kansas man was killed after a Wednesday afternoon crash on an interstate in northwest Wichita.

Emergency crews were called at around 1:55 p.m. to northbound I-235 just north of Zoo Boulevard, the Kansas Highway Patrol said in a crash report. A motorcycle rider was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was identified in the crash report as Gary W. Blankenship, 54, of Wichita.

Investigators determined that Blankenship was riding a 2006 Harley Davidson FLTSC/I Heritage northbound on the interstate in the left lane. A 2019 GMC Yukon was northbound in the right lane in front of the motorcycle.

Troopers said in the crash report that the SUV “changed lanes to the left and began slowing down. (The motorcycle) was unable to stop in time and struck the rear of (the SUV).”

The Yukon was driven by Shelly K. Scott, 55, of Dennis. Her passengers included 27-year-old Brittany Kay Medlan and 4-month-old Lachlan James Medlan, both of Dennis. None of the three people in the SUV were injured, according to the report.

This story was originally published July 24, 2019 at 2:44 PM.