Pickup driver dies in head-on crash with semi

An Emporia man was killed in a head-on collision of his pickup truck and a semi-trailer truck early Thursday on US-56 east of Remington Rd. / K-256.

According to Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 5:57 a.m. when a westbound 2019 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Gregory S. Campbell, 32, Emporia, crossed US-56’s centerline and struck an eastbound semi head-on.

The location appears to have been east of a slight rise in the roadway and east of where a no-passing zone for westbound lanes ended.

Although the wreck was early in the morning, and the pickup was driving out of what often is a blinding rising run, first light from sunrise did not occur until more than 15 minutes after the collision.

The semi, a 2015 Freightliner pulling a trailer, overturned and blocked the highway. The pickup ended up facing northwest in the north ditch.

Campell, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver, Brian A. McGrew, 51, Longford, was wearing a seatbelt. He complained of pain but declined to be taken to a hospital. Longford is a town of 73 people in southwest Clay County, 25 miles southwest of Clay Center.

Marion firefighters were dispatched at 6 a.m. because Campbell’s pickup reportedly was on fire, and he reportedly was trapped inside.

Marion and Hillsboro ambulances and Hillsboro firefighters also were summoned, but all except Marion ambulance were told they weren't needed before they arrived.

Campell’s extrication and death were confirmed by a Marion ambulance attendant via radio transmission at 6:14 a.m. A coroner, requested at 7:08 a.m., told dispatchers he already was aware of the wreck.

The county’s emergency manager also was dispatched because diesel fuel was leaking from the semi. Firefighters spread absorbent powder to clear it from the roadway.

Kansas Department of Transportation took over traffic control at 6:11 a.m. with help from sheriff’s deputies.

The wreck left the highway closed most of the day. Eastbound vehicles were rerouted off US-56 onto K-256 and Min St. at Remington Rd. Westbound vehicles were sent south on Cedar St. to Main St. and K-256.

The highway was closed well into Thursday evening for removal of the semi.