John Karlin Stoddard,Michael Anthony Windahl Obituary, Death; – The two drivers involved in a devastating crash east of Wellington on Tuesday morning have been confirmed as the individuals who lost their lives in the incident, as reported by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
John Karlin Stoddard, 56, from Belle Plaine, has been identified as the operator of a 2001 Ford F-150 traveling eastbound on U.S. 160. Investigators indicated that the pickup veered left of center for reasons that remain unclear.
The Ford collided with a westbound 2016 Peterbilt box truck, which was being driven by 29-year-old Michael Anthony Windahl of Harper. Both vehicles ultimately came to a stop in the south ditch and subsequently ignited.
Shortly before 10 a.m., Wellington Fire/EMS arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Both drivers were declared deceased at the scene. The collision took place on U.S. 160, just east of the Wellington exit of the Kansas Turnpike.
A portion of the roadway from that exit extending east to South Oliver Road was closed for nearly eight hours while the Kansas Highway Patrol conducted its investigation.
