Latest information on overnight fatality accident on I-35

This morning the Kansas Highway Patrol has released a preliminary accident report regarding the accident on southbound Interstate 35 in Merriam. The accident forced the closure of all southbound lanes of the interstate from just before 12:30 a.m. until 6:10 a.m.


According to the accident report, the motorcycle a 2000 Honda CBR was being driven by 32-year-old, Steven Douglas Trout of Merriam. Trout was not wearing a helmet and while entering southbound I-35 from Shawnee Mission Parkway he lost control of the bike and "became separated" from the motorcycle. 


A semi-tractor trailer then struck the motorcycle. At this point a 2004 Ford Mustang struck a second semi-tractor trailer as the Mustang's driver was moving to avoid striking the motorcyclist on the highway. The drivers of both semi-tractor trailers and both the driver and passenger of the Mustang were wearing their seat belts and were not injured in the accident.


Operation 100 News was contacted by a witness to the aftermath, who advised me that one of the semi-tractor trailer's drivers "looks to be extremely upset."


A Merriam Police Officer located the accident and immediately requested more units to respond to assist and shut down all traffic on southbound I-35 at Shawnee Mission Parkway. A Johnson County Med-Act ambulance traveling down the highway stopped to assist the Police Department and evaluated the victim who was confirmed to be deceased at the scene.

Initial reports indicated that the victim was underneath one of the semi-tractor trailers.

KDOT crews responded to the scene and assisted with blocking the southbound lanes of the interstate. All southbound traffic was redirected on to Shawnee Mission Parkway during the closure.

All southbound lanes were reopened to traffic at 6:10 a.m.


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