A Great Bend juvenile was injured Monday in an two-vehicle crash involving an ATV and a semi tractor trailer, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday morning.

The BCSO said the crash occurred at approximately 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of NW 130 Avenue and NW 20 Road about 4 miles south of Albert.

According to the report, an unaccompanied 8-year-old juvenile was operating a 2022 Polaris Ranger ATV westbound on NW 20 Road approaching NW 130 Avenue when they failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection. A 1998 International 9200 semi was southbound on NW 130 Avenue approaching the intersection when the driver, Steven Wissman, 68, rural Albert, saw the ATV was not going to stop and applied heavy braking as well as steering toward the west ditch. 

On-scene investigation indicated the ATV struck the truck on the driver’s side near the fuel tanks, causing it to spin away from the truck. The ATV driver was ejected and landed on the roadway. The truck continued south into the west ditch where it came to rest.

The ATV driver received abrasions and lacerations and was transported to University of Kansas Health Systems-Great Bend Campus with non-life-threatening injuries. Wissman was not injured.

“It is the opinion of the investigating officers and myself that because Mr. Wissman was alert and observant of the situation he was able to take evasive action and tragedy was averted,” said Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.