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Man dies after semi-truck strikes overturned box truck along highway in Kansas

Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle in Manhattan, KS (Feb. 25, 2023)
Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle in Manhattan, KS (Feb. 25, 2023) The Wichita Eagle

A 58-year-old man died Wednesday after a semi-truck hit a box truck along Interstate Highway 70 in central Kansas.

The man was identified as David Bridgeforth of Trenton, New Jersey, Kansas Highway Patrol crash logs show.

The incident was reported at 6:34 a.m. along I-70 in Ellsworth County. Bridgeforth was westbound in the box truck when for unknown reasons the vehicle left the roadway and entered a ditch.

He overcorrected, causing the box truck to roll onto its passenger side, blocking both lanes of travel on I-70 facing southwest, according to the KHP.

At the same time, a semi-truck heading west on I-70 tried to avoid hitting the box truck, but struck the undercarriage, causing the semi to spin into a ditch.

Bridgeforth, who is thought to have been injured when the box truck initially overturned, died at the scene from injuries sustained from the second crash, the report said.

The driver of the semi, a 24-year-old man from Trevose, Pennsylvania, was taken to a hospital with suspected serious injuries.

Eduardo Castillo
The Wichita Eagle
Eduardo covers crime and breaking news for The Wichita Eagle. His previous work experience includes stints at KWCH 12 Eyewitness News, the local CBS affiliate in Wichita, and as a marketing manager for a local real estate team. In addition to writing, Eduardo also enjoys still photography and cinematography. News tips? email at Edcastillo@wichitaeagle.com or call 316-268-6213.
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