Pedestrian Struck by Semi on I-70 in Kansas

20-year-old Topeka man seriously injured after exiting parked vehicle on interstate

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:27pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car part, such as a side mirror or broken lens, reflecting a faint light and creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic to conceptually illustrate the dangers of pedestrians on interstate highways.A damaged car part from the interstate accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians face when stopping on busy highways.Topeka Today

A 20-year-old Topeka man was seriously injured after being struck by a semi-truck while walking across Interstate 70 in Geary County, Kansas. The man, identified as Austin McIntosh, had pulled over and exited his parked Nissan Altima on the interstate's right shoulder when the incident occurred.

Why it matters

Interstate accidents involving pedestrians can be extremely dangerous, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. This incident raises concerns about driver safety and the risks of stopping on busy highways, which is generally discouraged except in true emergencies.

The details

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, McIntosh's Nissan Altima was parked on the right shoulder of I-70 just east of Milford Lake Road when he exited the vehicle and began walking across the right lane. As he was crossing, he was struck by a westbound semi-truck. McIntosh was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, while the semi-truck driver, a man from New Mexico, was unharmed.

  • The incident occurred early Sunday morning on March 30, 2026.

The players

Austin McIntosh

A 20-year-old man from Topeka, Kansas who was struck by a semi-truck while walking across Interstate 70.

Kansas Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the incident on I-70.

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The takeaway

This tragic accident underscores the importance of safely pulling over and remaining in one's vehicle if experiencing car trouble on a busy interstate highway. It also highlights the need for heightened awareness and caution from both drivers and pedestrians to prevent such devastating collisions.