Child dead after oil truck hits van in Maize
A 3-year-old boy is dead after an oil truck smashed a van at the intersection of 53rd Street North and 119th Street South in Maize around 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
"Initial investigation indicates that the van was traveling northbound on 119th. The truck was traveling westbound on 53rd," said Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter. "It appears that the van ran the red light, which then caused the collision."
Easter said a 9-month-old girl was in critical condition. The mother, who was driving the van with the two children, has potentially serious injuries. The family is from Halstead.
The impact crushed the 2005 Chevy minivan into the curb and tossed the oil truck on its side. The 3-year-old boy and his carseat were ejected from the van.
"I know there has been several accidents out here - fatalities - thus, why there is lights now. This used to just be a two-way stop," Easter said.
Easter said the oil truck had little oil left in it, and did not pose a danger. The truck driver was not hurt in the wreck.
"It's a little bit surprising. As you can see, it's a pretty brutal accident," Easter said. "Luckily, he's fine."
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