Man Hurt When Wind Flips Semi

Severe thunderstorm wind is blamed for a crash Wednesday evening that injured a man and temporarily closed Interstate 70.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a Freightliner semi pulling an empty trailer was headed east on I 70. As it was going over a hill a gust of wind caught the trailer, causing it to flip over onto its side blocking both eastbound lanes.

The driver of the truck, 46-year-old Eric Tyszco of Topeka was not hurt. Troopers say he was buckled up.

A passenger who was in the sleeper portion of the truck was hurt. He is identified as 53-year-old Charles Wynkoop III from Valley Falls. He was transported by EMS to Salina Regional Health Center.

The crash happened at 6:48 Wednesday evening in Ellsworth County, on I 70, 3.6 miles east of the K 156 Junction.