Douglas County, KS – GMC Sonoma and Semi Collide on I70 WB

Douglas County, KS (July 27, 2025) – An early morning crash involving a pickup truck and a semi-truck led to at least one person being hospitalized on Friday, July 25. The collision occurred just after 7:15 a.m. along the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near mile marker 197 in Douglas County, within the jurisdiction of the Kansas Turnpike Authority.

According to reports from the Kansas Highway Patrol, 57-year-old Harlan Harper of Topeka was driving a 1999 GMC Sonoma westbound on I70 when his vehicle became involved in a collision with a 2023 Kenworth T680 semi-truck driven by 66-year-old Steve Kline of Kansas City, Missouri.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Harper to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka for treatment. His current condition has not been made public. Kline was evaluated on-site and did not report any injuries. Authorities are continuing to investigate what led to the crash. Traffic along I70 westbound was impacted during the initial response, but normal flow resumed later in the morning.

We hope Mr. Harper makes a full and swift recovery.

Truck Accidents in Kansas

Large truck crashes remain a serious issue on Kansas highways, including the Kansas Turnpike. According to recent data, nearly 4,000 crashes involving commercial vehicles occurred across the state last year. These accidents are often more severe due to the size and weight of semis compared to passenger vehicles.

Here are a few important things to understand about truck accidents in Kansas:

• Blind Spots: Trucks have larger blind spots than passenger cars. If a driver lingers too long in a truck’s “no zone,” the truck operator may not see them when changing lanes or merging.
• Braking Distance: Semis require more distance to come to a full stop, especially at highway speeds. If a car cuts in front too quickly or traffic slows suddenly, the truck may not stop in time.
• Fatigue Among Drivers: Long shifts and tight delivery schedules can lead to tired drivers. Federal rules limit driving hours, but not all drivers or companies follow them closely.
• Improper Cargo Loading: When a trailer is improperly loaded or overloaded, it can affect vehicle balance and handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
• Highway Construction Zones: Truck crashes are more likely in areas with narrowed lanes, reduced speed limits, and increased congestion. These areas demand extra caution from all drivers.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash with a commercial truck, call our Douglas County truck accident attorneys as soon as you can. Timing is critical when dealing with commercial carriers, especially for preserving logbooks, dashcam footage, and maintenance records. The sooner you contact a truck accident attorney, the better your chances of a fair outcome.

At Wallentine Injury Law, we provide support you can trust after serious accidents. Our team is deeply familiar with Kansas roadways and the challenges victims face when going up against trucking companies and insurers. We don’t charge a fee unless we win for you. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or helping a loved one, we’re here to listen, explain your rights, and fight for the outcome you deserve. Call us today at 913-934-6333 to set up your free consultation.

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.