Salina Post

SALINA — No one was seriously injured Monday afternoon when one semi ran into the back of another on a smoke-covered interstate west of Salina.

Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said smoke from a large grass fire north of Interstate 70 — about 15 miles west of Salina — began to cross the highway, reducing visibility.

As drivers began slowing down, Gary Kats, 64, Norton, was eastbound with a trailer loaded with hay. His semi rear-ended another driven by Pharmender Singh, 48, Brampton, Miss., who had slowed down due to the smoke.

Kats only suffered a scratch on his leg in the crash, which destroyed the cab of his semi.

The crash occurred around 3:45 p.m. at milepost 236 on I-70.

Kochanowski said the grass fire that began near West Watkins Road and McGavern Road did destroy three sheds on property owned by Michael Kopf, Wichita. Items in the sheds that were destroyed were a 4-wheeler, a canoe and lawn mower.

The sheriff said it is believed sparks from wheels of a train might have started the fire, and the railroad has investigators trying to determine if the train was the source of the fire.