A 65-year-old Topeka man died Tuesday morning after the van he was driving struck a bridge railing on U.S. Highway 24 near Williamstown in Jefferson County.
Sheriff Jeff Herrig said Leonard Binkley was driving west on the highway about 11:45 a.m. when his 1994 Ford Aerostar struck the rail on the right side of the highway.
The force caused the van to tip onto its side in the middle of the highway, and Binkley was thrown onto a creek bank south of the highway, Herrig said.
Herrig said an initial investigation pointed to a possible health problem contributing to the accident, but officers are continuing to try to pinpoint an exact cause. Toxicology results are pending, but alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
The accident forced the closure of the intersection of U.S. Highway 24 and 59 until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Comments
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thepianoman (anonymous) says…
According to WIBW......
Near Williamstown (WIBW) - Emergency responders were on the scene of a deadly accident in Jefferson County Tuesday afternoon.
It happened around noon on Highway 24, near the intersection with Highway 59, at Williamstown east of Perry.
Authorities say one person was killed. Officers on the scene say the victim was thrown from the vehicle and landed in a creek below the road.
The Kansas Department of Transportation says the intersection was closed while authorities investigated.
GardenMomma (anonymous) says…
Shame, shame Seamus...Er...sorry....
Good Lord. Did you even read the article? Someone was thrown from the vehicle and died!
I send good thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of this person. May peace find it's way to you.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Excellent point Seamus. The pedestrian or biker are fair targets and unworthy of any respect. Sad story, sadder how people respond to whether in a car or alternative mode.
Bernardo_de_la_Paz (anonymous) says…
Dear LJW,
Accident stories should not have a comments section.
Friends and Family of the Victim,
Sincere condolensces for your loss. Please do yourself a favor and do not read any more of these user comments.
LJW Posters,
Don't get on a soapbox and use every tragedy to push your agenda. Families and friends of victims read these articles, and see debates blaming the victims and worse. When you lose a friend or loved one to a tragic accident, you may understand how infuriating and painful it can be to see a complete stranger's insensitive comment below the article.
peachesncream (anonymous) says…
Bernardo... excuse me while i run to the other room and grab my soapbox so i can stand on it and applaud your post... Very well said, thank you .my thoughts and prayers the this mans family and friends.
mdrndgtl (anonymous) says…
Well-put, Bernardo. When you're done, could you please mop up the girls restroom? Someone had an accident. Thanks.
thomgreen (anonymous) says…
I agree with the Bernardo.
Condolences to the family.
By the way Bernardo, kudos on your choice for a name, that's a great book.
somedude20 (anonymous) says…
Not to be a stick in the mud but come on folks this guy hit a railing on a bridge (those things do not move). Sorry that he died but that bridge could have been a child that he hit. If one has to prove themselves able to drive when 16 then one should have to do the same as they age
countrygirl (anonymous) says…
The scene made me cringe a bit when we went by last night. Just how hard do you have to hit a concrete barrier like that to go all the way through it?
monkey_c (anonymous) says…
My condolences to the family. Always very sad when someone passes away in an accident. I drive past there everyday. I'm pretty bad about remebering to buckle up myself. This will serve as a reminder to me that life is fragile and I should protect my safety on the road. R.I.P. And no bridges don't move but the unexpected does happen. That's why they call it an accident.
BABBOY (anonymous) says…
It would be an excellent idea to not have comments on accident cases. I can only assume that "people" that posted the bad stuff above have never suffered a serious loss. I mean imagine if you were standing face to face and someone says my dad died in accident and then described what happened. Would these posters really look in to the face of a victim's family and say that their lost loved one should have been wearing a seat belt or just assume that they should not have been driving because of his age?
It would appear the family is from Topeka. Hopefully, they do not have time to read the trivial comments of this paper. If they are reading these comments, then let me express how so sorry I am for your loss.