Tractor driver died Monday evening in a two-vehicle accident in Republic County

SCANDIA, Kansas (WIBW) – A tractor driver died and two other people were injured in a two-vehicle crash late Monday on a highway in Republic County, authorities said.

The collision was reported at 9:27 p.m. Monday on Highway US-36, about half a mile west of the town of Scandia.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol's online accident log, a Case IH tractor pulling a farm implement was traveling west on US-36 when it was struck from behind by a 2016 Freightliner semi-trailer that was also traveling west on US-36.

After the impact, the tractor went into the south ditch. Police said the driver was thrown from the tractor.

The driver of the tractor, identified as Andrew J. Pumphrey, 38, of Mankato, was pronounced dead at the scene. The patrol said Pumphrey was not wearing a seat belt.

The driver of the semi, Casey EA Tate, 62, of Luray, suffered what are believed to be minor injuries in the collision, police said. Tate was wearing a seatbelt, according to the police online accident log. There was no record of Tate being taken to the hospital.

A passenger in the tractor-trailer, Michelle H. Hauger, 46, of Luray, was taken to Republic County Hospital in Belleville with serious injuries. Police said Hauger was wearing a seatbelt.

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