Lawrence man injured in wreck on U.S. 59

A 30-year-old Lawrence man was thrown from his vehicle and suffered disabling injuries after his car struck a semitrailer head-on Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 59 in Franklin County.

According to a Kansas Highway Patrol report, Joseph L. Bolton was flown to the Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., after the accident at 12:48 p.m., three miles south of the Douglas County line, seen in photo to the left.

Bolton was driving his 1987 Honda south on U.S. 59 when it crossed the center line for an unknown reason and struck a northbound 1994 semitrailer driven by Charles Brandenburg, 36, of Newton.

Brandenburg was wearing his seat belt and was not injured. Bolton was not wearing a seat belt, according to the accident report.

A hospital nursing supervisor said Thursday night that an update on Bolton’s condition was not available.