Driver dies
in head-on crash
Staff writer
Youth baseball coach Gerado “Jerry” Mendoza, 49, Aulne, was killed Monday evening in a head-on collision on U.S.-50 in Harvey County.
According to Kansas Highway Patrol, Mendoza was eastbound in a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 shortly after 6 p.m. about three-quarters of a mile northeast of N. East Lake Rd. when, for an unknown reason, his pickup crossed the centerline into the path of a westbound 2024 Peterbilt semitrailer.
The truck’s driver, Charles Murphy, 59, Rochester, Minnesota, attempted to steer onto the shoulder but was unable to avoid the collision. Murphy was not injured.
Mendoza, who was known locally through his involvement in youth baseball, died at the scene. His body was taken to the Regional Forensic Science Center in Wichita. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, according to the patrol.
Both vehicles were towed. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.