Man Dies in Semi Crash on I-70 Early Wednesday in Ellsworth County

A New Jersey man died in a semi crash east of Wilson along Interstate 70 in Ellsworth County early Wednesday morning.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol report, a 2018 Hino Box Truck was traveling westbound when it drifted off the road and entered the north ditch. The driver overcorrected causing the box truck to roll onto its side and came to rest blocking both westbound lanes.

A minute or so later, a 2021 Freightliner Semi attempted to avoid the box truck, but struck the undercarriage beneath the cab, causing it to spin before it came to rest in the north ditch. The semi also came to rest in the north ditch.

58-year-old David Bridgeforth, who was driving the box truck, died in the crash. The driver of the semi, 24-year-old lazizion Vafoev from Pennsylvania, had suspected serious injuries and was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

The crash happened shortly after 6:30 AM.

The westbound lane of Interstate 70 in the area of the crash was closed for a few hours Wednesday.