PALCO — A 69-year old Palco man died and Great Bend man was transported to the hospital when two semi-tractors, both hauling trailers, collided near Palco Friday afternoon.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2019 Freightliner driven by 28-year-old Jean De La Roche of Great Bend was westbound on Rooks County Road X, about a mile south of Palco, shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, and failed to yield right of way to a 2000 Sterling semi-tractor driven by 69-year-old Michael L. Towns of Palco.

The two vehicles collided in the intersection and both entered a field northwest of the intersection, striking a power pole.

Towns was transported to Hays Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. De La Roche was transported to Rooks County Health Center with what were believed to be minor injuries. Towns was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, according to the KHP. De La Roche was properly restrained at the time.