Alma, KS (June 23, 2024) – A passenger was killed after a crash involving a utility vehicle in the Alma area on Saturday, June 22. The deadly accident took place at the 28502 block of Loire Creek Road late that night around 9 p.m. Local reports indicated that two people were riding a 2019 Honda UTV in a field on private property when the vehicle rolled.
It was later revealed that the operator, 50-year-old Brian D. Palenske of Basehor, lost control of the vehicle leading up to the deadly incident. The passenger was ejected in the accident. Emergency crews were rushed to the scene, and the injured party was later pronounced dead. The deceased victim was later identified as 74-year-old Ray G. Palenske of Lenexa. No further information on the incident is currently available. An ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash is being managed by local law enforcement officials.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time.
Fatal UTV Accidents in Kansas
ATV and UTV riding is a fun hobby, but these vehicles are far from safe, and every year many individuals are killed or seriously injured in related accidents. In 2020, emergency rooms in American hospitals treated 112,300 injuries connected to over-the-horizon vehicles (OHVs), according to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Over five years, ATVs were implicated in 96 percent of these OHV injuries. For three years, ROVs and UTVs each produced 478 and 464 fatal wrecks, while ATVs were responsible for 1,566 fatal accidents. As of September 2022, 2,178 OHV-related deaths had been recorded in the United States by the CPSPC. Of these, 1,513 involved ATVs, 537 with ROVs, and 49 with UTVs. If someone close to you is killed in a crash, you should consult with an Alma wrongful death lawyer at Bretz Injury Law. Contact our offices today at 620-524-0080 to get started on your case. We are here to answer any questions that you may have during a free consultation.
