Charges likely in fatal U.S.-50 accidents years ago
Robson advises commission of impending expenses
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission was advised Monday by county attorney Susan Robson of upcoming expenses associated with three fatal accidents on U.S.-50 in the past two months.
"DNA tests for the June 28 fatalities alone will cost the county $2,000," Robson said.
Robson stated charges will be filed in all three accidents. A total of nine people were killed in the three accidents due to semi-trucks rear-ending passenger vehicles while stopped for highway construction.
Witness fees will be among the additional expenses, Robson said, due to witnesses residing outside the Marion County area.
"I've received information from the Kansas Highway Patrol regarding the first accident," Robson said.
The first accident occurred May 10 at the Marion-Harvey County line. Robson said the Harvey County attorney had declined the case, so Marion County will prosecute.
The accident killed two Marion women — Brandi R. Billbe, 40, and Lori B. Leeders, 42. A passenger, Ashley Billbe, 15, was seriously injured in the accident. The driver of a semi tractor-trailer, J.B. Miser, 61, of Emporia, failed to stop in a construction zone and rear-ended the van containing the three females. A chain-reaction accident occurred involving a Federal Express truck and a passenger vehicle.
Robson is awaiting information from two accidents that occurred June 28 and 29, east of Peabody. Those accidents occurred within 28 hours of each other and involved similar circumstances.
On June 28, two men died when the pickup they were riding in was rear-ended by a semi tractor-trailer driven by 50-year-old Michael W. Hardwick of El Paso, Texas.
A June 29 accident claimed the lives of five people when a semi tractor-trailer driven by 33-year-old Rich Duncan slammed into the rear-end of a van containing three family members. The semi then hit another passenger vehicle containing a husband and wife. All five passengers in the two vehicles were killed.
Robson said Keith Collett and Ed Wheeler will assist her in the prosecution of the cases.
Robson commented she was not sure of the effectiveness of a letter of concern from the commission to Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Highway Patrol but was willing to draft one.
The commission instructed Robson to write a letter to the two state entities regarding their concerns about the safety of U.S.-50.
The letter will ask for assurance from the entities of strict enforcement of state laws. It also will thank the entities for their efforts.
The letter will be presented at Monday's meeting for approval.
