Pedestrian dies after being struck on I-135

A woman is dead after attempting to cross on foot the northbound lanes of I-135 near K-15 late Saturday evening, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Master Trooper Eric Molleker said patrol troopers were dispatched after receiving a call of a hitchhiker walking north on I-135 between the Hydraulic and Pawnee exits shortly before 10 p.m.

The woman, whom a Sedgwick County emergency dispatcher described as being 50 to 60 years old, attempted to cross the road from the east to the west side, Molleker said.

A van was in the right lane, and a blue truck was in the left, slightly behind the van, he said.

The van slowed to avoid hitting the woman and honked at her to let her know of the oncoming truck.

The woman did not stop, and the driver of the pickup struck her as she was entering the left lane, Molleker said. The driver attempted to avoid her by swerving to the right but was unsuccessful, Molleker said.

When patrol units arrived, Wichita Fire and Emergency Medical Services was already on scene. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at 10:06 p.m., Molleker said.

Officers have not identified the woman.

Molleker said “this is a prime example of why you shouldn’t be a pedestrian on an interstate.” It is illegal to stop, stand or park on the interstate, Molleker said.

“To be a pedestrian walking out on the highway is obviously unsafe,” Molleker said.

The driver of the pickup was uninjured.

Molleker said the assistant district attorney has been notified of the crash, but Molleker said he “can’t imagine there would be” charges filed in the case.

I-135 northbound was closed for about a mile, from the Hydraulic exit to the bridge over K-15.

This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 12:34 AM with the headline "Pedestrian dies after being struck on I-135."