Basic Facts

Crash date: June 5, 2026

Crash location: Interstate 70 northeast of McFarland, KS

People involved:

  • Barbara Krier, 70
  • Steven Reed, 50
  • Unidentified Buick passenger, 7
  • Unidentified truck driver, 45

Do authorities suspect alcohol played a role in this crash? Unknown

Did authorities recommend criminal charges? Unknown

Do authorities suspect a product defect caused the crash? Unknown

Accident Report

Wabaunsee County, KS — June 5, 2026, Barbara Krier and Steven Reed were killed and a child was injured in a truck accident at about 3:45 p.m. on Interstate 70.

Authorities said a 2024 Kenworth semi-truck was heading east when it crossed the median and crashed into a westbound 2020 Buick Envision northeast of McFarland.

Buick driver Barbara Krier, 70, of Great Bend and passenger Steven Reed, 50, of Topeka were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. A 7-year-old boy riding with them was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The truck driver, a 45-year-old Michigan man, suffered minor injuries, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Wabaunsee County crash at this time.

How Did This Accident Occur?

It’s not clear at this point why the semi-truck crossed I-70 before the crash. Was the driver fatigued or distracted? Did another vehicle force the truck off the road? Was it avoiding debris in the road? Did the truck have an issue with its throttle or steering mechanism? The best way to find answers to these questions, in my opinion, is to wait until the investigation is complete.

Authorities likely will start by scrutinizing physical evidence, witness statements, data from the vehicles and any available video footage. Cell phone records could show what the truck driver was doing at the time.

Investigators also should look into trucking company’s hiring and training records to see if the driver was properly vetted and trained before he was put on the road behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound truck. Maintenance records will show if the truck was due for any repairs before the crash.

If investigators suspect a mechanical problem contributed to this crash, a qualified expert will be needed to complete a forensic examination of the truck. Most law enforcement agencies don’t have the time or training for such inspections, in my experience, but the people grieving this accident deserve to know as much as possible about what happened on I-70.

Did you witness this crash? Tell us what you saw in the comment section.

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