Two Freightliners hit head on sending one man to the hospital on Thursday, August 18, 2016. The accident occurred at 12:20 p.m. on Route N, approximately two miles south of Hwy. 136, in Atchison County. A 2007 Freightliner, driven by Levi S. Johnson, 28, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was southbound on Route N when Johnson failed to yield while making a left turn. Johnson’s truck hit a 1988 Freightliner, driven by Thomas B. Hurst, age 49, of Tarkio, head on. The Johnson truck came to rest on the west shoulder of Route N facing south and Hurst’s truck came to rest on the east shoulder facing north.
Johnson, who was not wearing a seat belt, received serious injuries and was taken by Lifenet to Mosaic Life Care. An injury report for Hurst, who was not wearing a seat belt, was not available. Both Freightliners sustained extensive damage and were towed by Benefiels.
The accident was investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper K.L. Ebersold, who was assisted by Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Greiner, CVO Shewey, the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department, and Lifenet.