Cherokee, KS – Woman Hurt After Pickup Truck Rear-Ends Car on U400

Cherokee, KS (July 4, 2025) – A two-vehicle crash in Cherokee County sent one woman to the hospital after a pickup truck failed to stop for traffic and slammed into the back of her vehicle. Reports from the Kansas Highway Patrol indicate the crash occurred around 3:34 p.m. on July 2, eastbound on U400 near milepost 417.8, about 2.4 miles east of Kansas Highway 126.

Authorities said a 2021 Nissan Titan, driven by Shay Montes of Rock Hill, South Carolina, was heading eastbound when it did not stop for slowing traffic and struck a car that was stopped ahead. The force of the impact caused the second vehicle, driven by Erika C. Campbell of Lexington, Kentucky, to hit a guardrail before rolling forward and coming to a stop in the westbound lane. Montes’ pickup truck came to rest in the eastbound lane of U400.

Erika Campbell, age 41, was injured in the collision and transported by ambulance to Labette Health for treatment. Montes’ vehicle was removed from the scene by Bean’s Towing and taken to a local tow lot. It is unclear what caused Montes to fail to stop, and the Kansas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident.

We hope Erika Campbell recovers fully and quickly from her injuries.

Car Accidents in Kansas

Motor vehicle crashes remain a daily concern across Kansas, putting drivers and passengers at risk of injury or worse. Data from the Kansas Department of Transportation shows that rear-end collisions, like the one in Cherokee County, are among the most frequent types of crashes. Many happen on busy highways where traffic can slow unexpectedly.

Staying informed about common crash risks can help everyone stay safer on the roads:

• Rear-End Crashes: These collisions happen when drivers follow too closely or fail to pay attention. Even a momentary distraction can cause a driver to overlook stopped or slowing traffic. Maintaining a safe following distance can greatly reduce these accidents.
• Guardrail Impacts: Striking a guardrail can cause additional damage or rollovers. Guardrails are designed to protect drivers from more severe hazards, but when vehicles hit them at high speeds, injuries can be serious.
• Rollover Accidents: A vehicle that spins or rolls after impact often results in greater injury risk. Rollovers can be caused by high speeds, sudden swerves, or collisions that shift a vehicle’s center of gravity.
• Highway Hazards: Highways like U400 see heavy traffic from local and out-of-state drivers. Speeding, sudden stops, and weather conditions all add to the chance of collisions. Staying alert and adjusting driving habits for traffic flow are vital.

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, it’s critical to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney in Kansas. Our Cherokee car accident attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that can follow a collision. Acting quickly helps protect evidence, ensures paperwork is filed properly, and holds at-fault drivers accountable. We’re committed to pursuing the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and your recovery journey.

At Wallentine Injury Law, we know how quickly life can change after a crash. Our dedicated team treats every client with care and respect because your story matters. We offer free consultations, so you won’t pay anything upfront to learn your rights.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Kansas crash, call us at 913-934-6333. Let our team at Wallentine Injury Law handle the legal details while you focus on healing. We stand ready to fight for you and your family. Reach out today to get started and discover how we can help you move forward with confidence.

Notes: Our writers utilized secondary sources when writing this news article about an accident. We have not independently reviewed all of the circumstances surrounding this accident; therefore, please get in touch with Wallentine Injury Law, LLC right away if you locate any incorrect information in our post. We will update the post with the most accurate information currently available.  A post will be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: We hope that by raising awareness about driving hazards, drivers will be more cautious when operating a motor vehicle and avoid being seriously injured in a collision. This accident news post is not a business solicitation. The content of this post is not intended to serve as medical or legal advice. This post’s featured image was not captured at the accident scene depicted in the post.