Abilene Man Killed, Two Workers Injured in I-135 Construction-Zone Crash

An Abilene man was killed and two other workers were injured Tuesday morning after a pickup truck entered a highway construction area along Interstate 135 in Saline County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 9:46 a.m. on northbound I-135 near mile marker 86, about one-half mile south of Smolan Road.

The preliminary crash report states that a 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 was traveling north when it left the roadway and entered the right shoulder for an unknown reason.

The truck struck a legally parked 2023 Chevrolet Silverado in the construction zone before skidding into a guardrail and overturning. KHP reported that the truck then struck workers who were in the grassy area east of the guardrail.

Toby L. Marco, 55, of Abilene, suffered fatal injuries. KHP reported that his next of kin had been notified.

Two other workers suffered suspected minor injuries. They were identified as Carson Lee Arndt, 23, of Wichita, and Kaden Keith Hill, 23, of Sedgwick. Hill was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Four additional workers were listed in the preliminary report as having no apparent injuries.

The driver of the Dodge, Robert E. Moore, 35, of Coweta, Oklahoma, suffered suspected serious injuries and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center. KHP reported that Moore was not wearing a seat belt.

The reason the truck left the roadway remains unknown.

The crash remains under investigation. Information contained in the Kansas Highway Patrol’s online crash log is preliminary and may be updated.