As blowing dust reduced visibility on Interstate 70 Monday afternoon, a Subaru Outback rear-ended a Chevrolet Express van in Ellsworth County. Kansas Highway Patrol reports one occupant of the van, Alberto Gonzalez, 29, from Wichita, was injured in the crash shortly before 5 p.m. He was transported to the Ellsworth County Medical Center with what appeared to be minor injuries.
The vehicles were eastbound at milepost 211.8, approximately 7 miles east of Wilson. The Outback was driven by Timothy C. Hindman, 54, from Edwards, Colo., the sole occupant of the vehicle. The van was driven by Omar Ibarra-Barrientos, 32, from Fort Worth, Texas, who was slowing down. His passengers included Gonzalez; Omar Hernandez-Gine, 40, from Broken Arrow, Okla.; and Efrain Salamanaca, 21, from Memphis, Tenn. There were no other apparent injuries and all of the occupants were wearing seat belts.
Both vehicles were removed by the Ellsworth Service Center.