Andrew J. Pumphrey Obituary, Death – A tragic two-vehicle crash on Monday night in Republic County claimed the life of a tractor driver and left two others injured. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred at 9:27 p.m. on US-36 highway, about half a mile west of Scandia.
The collision involved a Case IH tractor towing a farm implement, which was traveling westbound on US-36. It was struck from behind by a 2016 Freightliner semi-truck, also heading west. The impact caused the tractor to veer into the south ditch, ejecting the tractor driver.
The tractor driver, identified as 38-year-old Andrew J. Pumphrey of Mankato, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities noted that Pumphrey was not wearing a safety restraint at the time of the crash.
The driver of the semi-truck, 62-year-old Casey E.A. Tate of Luray, sustained minor injuries. Tate was reportedly wearing a seatbelt and did not require transport to a hospital.
However, a passenger in the semi-truck, 46-year-old Michelle H. Hauger of Luray, was seriously injured. Hauger, who was wearing a seatbelt, was transported to Republic County Hospital in Belleville for treatment.
The Kansas Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident.