One Killed In Rest Area Crash
Todd Pittenger - Thu 03:16 PM 04/26/2012
The motor home was knocked into a grassy area, where it caught fire.
UPDATED 4-26-12 10:15 PM
One person is killed in a fiery crash at a rest area near Solomon on Interstate 70 Thursday afternoon.
Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardener says that a semi headed east exited into the Solomon Rest Area. The semi rear-ended a motor home that was parked at the rest area.
The motor home was knocked into a grassy area, where it caught fire. The semi jack-knifed, but remained upright.
According to the KHP, two people were sleeping in the motor home. They were 67-year-old Martin Bal and and 72-year-old Joan Bal, both from Pointblank, Texas. Martin was killed in the crash. Joan was hurt, and was transported to Salina Regional Health Center.
The driver of the semi is identified as 68-year-old John Boteler, from Shelby, Indiana. He was hurt, and was transported to Salina Regional Health Cneter.
I 70 was closed in both directions for a short period of time as the fire burned because there were reports that a pesticide chemical was possibly involved.
The crash happened at around 1:15 Thursday afternoon.
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aschosh
Thursday 26 April 2012 17:56
(Deleted by Administrator)
boilerman
Thursday 26 April 2012 18:38 Report this comment
The chemical was in the semi trailer
unnamed
Friday 27 April 2012 00:09 Report this comment
I seen the accident site and all I can say is may GOD bless all involved and a speedy recovery for those who Lived and hopefully the KHP can figure out what and who was at fault and what happened and how to.prevent something like this from happening to anyone else in the future and don't jump to the conclusion of who was at fault because it is not always the truck driver or the old couple in the car or RV who is at fault ... just pray for all involved that is all I have to say
WhoCares
Friday 27 April 2012 07:34 Report this comment
well jeez unnamed.... lets see here....who was at fault... hmmmmmm... "that a semi headed east exited into the Solomon Rest Area. The semi rear-ended a motor home that was parked at the rest area." That pretty well sums it up doesn't it? YOU ARE AN IDIOT.... and may your "god" have mercy on people close to you, that have to put up with your stupidiness
secret
Friday 27 April 2012 07:49 Report this comment
Hey "unnamed" and "WhoCares" why dont you two meet some place and decide if you really like each other or not ? People were injured and/or killed in this accident ! And, if I want to pray last time I knew I can bc I live in a country that allows it ! Get over it already .....
aschosh
Friday 27 April 2012 08:52 Report this comment
You know I had skipped over the part where they said the ages/names of the people hurt, so I didn't realize they were an old couple til you said the old couple in the RV. That is a sad incident that it happened. I hope the 2 that lived pull through.
Dutchess68
Friday 27 April 2012 09:00 Report this comment
How DARE you mock this tragic accident??? This is Susanne, Martin's daughter who resides in Pennsylvania. For the record, my father and his wife were traveling on their "Bucket List" Trip to Alaska. It was something that was my father's dream. They were parked in the rest area because they were cautious and safe drivers. They were napping so they could continue on their journey. Expressions of condolences might be much better received at this horrific and traumatic time by all of us. If you have nothing constructive to say, please keep your mouth shut, or at least have the dignity to not spread untruth on the pages of the internet. Thank you.
Dutchess68
Friday 27 April 2012 09:03 Report this comment
I'd also like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the bystanders who pulled both my mother and father out of the wreckage as it burst into flames. Thanks to you, no one was burned. If you feel so inclined, please leave your information with the KSHP. My family and I will be forever indebted to your bravery. Thank you.
justme
Friday 27 April 2012 10:16 Report this comment
Susanne, I am sorry about your tragic loss, and best wishes to your mother for a full recovery. My parents also travel the states in a motorhome and sleep in rest areas. I have always worried about their safety, not just from accidents but from other people who may try to rob them. I am very sorry that the people of Salina and Saline county are inconsiderate to you and your family in this instance. Please understand that the majority of us are not as apathetic as they are. Condolences to you and your family.
goodenergy88
Friday 27 April 2012 10:20 Report this comment
I am appalled at some of these comments. My name is Holly and I am the granddaughter of Joan and Martin and this is a tragic incident for our family and a time of grief and sorrow for all of us. As my Aunt Susanne stated, they were on their DREAM TRIP to Alaska in that RV. I wouldn't wish this on anybody, not even those who have the audacity to make rude and thoughtless comments, speculations, and needless arguments. Please respect my family's loss -- prayers and thoughts are much appreciated, but please don't post anything disrespectful. Thank you, THANK YOU to the responders to the crash and anyone who was there to help. My thoughts are not only with my grandparents, but also with the truck driver. I love you Nanny and Gramps.
goodenergy88
Friday 27 April 2012 10:24 Report this comment
Thank you, justme, for your kindness and condolences. May your parents always be kept safe in their travels, and I hope that you have a great day.
tpittenger
Friday 27 April 2012 11:58 Report this comment
aschosh, we decided to delete your initial comment. You seem to regret it, and in consideration to the family, we deleted the comment.
girlygirl_21
Friday 27 April 2012 12:08 Report this comment
@Dutchess68 and goodenergy68 I am sincerly sorry for the incompetance and apathetic people from my hometown we are not all like that and i am dreadfully sorry for your loss and your mother and grandmother will be in my prayers for a speedy and safe recovery. You and your family will also be in my prayers.
RONNIEMUR
Friday 27 April 2012 12:20 Report this comment
So sad. Peace be with the family.
Amaranth
Friday 27 April 2012 12:25 Report this comment
What a horrible accident! I am so sorry that it was John's bucket list trip and it ended like that. Sometimes it's hard to understand why things happen like this, but I want the family to know there are lots of us who feel awful about what happened, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
DrinkWater
Friday 27 April 2012 13:10 Report this comment
I saw the accident first hand, and I was there as we pried the side off of the camper. There were a lot of the people in on the effort. It was a tragic accident and all of my thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Iamgonnagetu
Friday 27 April 2012 13:12 Report this comment
Unnamed are you kidding me who was at fault? Two people asleep in their camper and this truck driver slams into them at a high rate of speed are you loco? THE QUESTION IS WHY HAS THE TRUCK DRIVER ARRESTED FOR MANSLAUGHTER?
Dutchess68
Friday 27 April 2012 13:55 Report this comment
Again, those who were involved in the rescue efforts, I can't thank you enough. As for the driver of the truck, he had a spotless driving record for 35 years. It appears that the was unconscious at the time of the crash which may have been due to breathing problems or other health related issues.
bbopper
Friday 27 April 2012 21:19 Report this comment
My concern is for the health and welfare of all injured parties. The age of the truck driver needs to be addressed. I drove a truck for many years and know of the dangers and pressure that is on the driver. I have had older friends injured and died. There needs to be an age limit on drivers.
Ton
Saturday 28 April 2012 02:16 Report this comment
Hallo Dutchess68, this is Ton from The Netherlands, the son of the brother (Wim) of Martin Bal, my condolence with the sad lost of your father, I know from my father that he had regular contact with Martin. We'll hope everything is alright with Joan, who is now in the hospital, i'll hope to hear from you!!
getumgranny
Sunday 29 April 2012 06:57 Report this comment
God bless the family of this poor couple!! Very sad they were stopped for a rest and something so horrible happened, I could never imagine the pain they all must be enduring right now. Sympathies and prayers to all of them, I pray Joan makes a speedy recovery. To the semi driver that came barreling into the rest area not paying attention, asleep or whatever he was doing, God be with you in the months to come, I suspect living with something so horrible that you did will punish you for years to come. I cannot imagine having to live with something so horrible you know was your fault, that cost a life!!
RONNIEMUR
Monday 30 April 2012 20:53 Report this comment
Wow @getum... You are quick to point fingers but you lack the grace to be in a position to judge. Its not your job. Maybe he had a heart attack or something completely unpredictable. Whether it was his fault or not, what contribution is it for you to berate him? I hope nothing terrible ever happens to you because I fear you'll get the kind of empathy and forgiveness ghat you've shown here. Even the family has said that the driver has driven for 35 years with a spotless record, so it is safe to assume that this was not due to some innatentive moment, rather a horrible accident. I'm so dissapointed in the lack of understanding for one another. Am I the only one who sees ghat we all make mistakes, bad things just happen, and when these things happen the last thing ( and the least necessary, least compassionate, least intelligent) anyone needs is someone beating them into the ground for something that they possibly had no control over. Well "getum..." you are "that guy". Don't be "that guy".