An early-morning accident Monday at the intersection of 23rd and Iowa streets sent two people to area hospitals and caused headaches for hundreds drivers throughout much of the day.
The accident occurred about 5:15 a.m. when two vehicles, including a bakery delivery truck, collided at the northeast corner of the intersection.
One of the vehicles hit and destroyed a traffic signal box that controls the lights at the intersection. The collision rendered the traffic lights inoperable and forced police to direct traffic at the intersection until temporary four-way stop signs could be installed.
Police Chief Ron Olin said the department received several complaints about traffic snarls during the day, but only one additional non-injury accident was reported while the temporary stop signs were in place.
"That's not unusual because 23rd and Iowa is one of our highest-rated intersections for accidents in the city," Olin said.
Traffic signals were working again at 3:30 p.m., police said.
David Woosley, city traffic engineer, said the control box and some of the underground wiring and conduit had to be replaced. He estimated the cost of those repairs at $10,000.
Woosley said the city would try to recover the cost of those repairs by filing a claim against the insurance company of the driver who is found to be at fault.
The victims were identified as Tiburcio Reyes of Lawrence, who was transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center, and Russell Griffin of Topeka, who was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Reyes was listed in good condition Monday evening. Griffin was treated at LMH and released.
The police report on the accident was not available late Monday.
-- Peter Hancock's phone message number is 832-7144. His e-mail address is phancock@ljworld.com.
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