WICHITA, Kan. — A devastating crash in rural Kingman County claimed the lives of two people Tuesday evening after their vehicle collided head-on with a semi truck. Authorities say the deadly crash happened west of Cheney, bringing tragedy to a quiet stretch of roadway and leaving a Kansas community in mourning.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Southeast 20th Street and Southeast 110 Avenue, about seven miles west of Cheney. Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene following reports of a serious collision involving a passenger car and a commercial truck.
Investigators said a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling westbound on Southeast 20th Street when it crossed into the eastbound lane of traffic. At the same time, a semi truck was approaching from the opposite direction. Troopers said the sudden movement into oncoming traffic created a dangerous situation that unfolded in seconds.
In its preliminary report, the Kansas Highway Patrol said both drivers attempted to avoid the crash. “Both Vehicle 1 (Malibu) and Vehicle 2 (semi) took evasive maneuvers resulting in a head-on collision in the westbound lane,” the report stated. The force of the impact caused both vehicles to leave the roadway and come to rest in the north ditch.
The two people inside the Chevrolet Malibu were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities identified the victims as Margaret Sue Thompson, 68, and Marvin Eugene Thompson, 72, both residents of Murdock, Kansas, in Kingman County. Officials have not released details about their relationship, but their deaths have deeply affected those who knew them.
The driver of the semi truck was not injured, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Investigators have not yet said what caused the Malibu to cross into the opposite lane, and it remains unclear whether speed, distraction, medical issues, or road conditions played a role.
The crash remains under investigation as troopers continue to review evidence and reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. Authorities are reminding drivers to stay alert and use extra caution on rural roads, where head-on crashes are often severe or fatal. The loss of two lives in this crash serves as a painful reminder of how quickly a routine drive can turn into a tragedy.
