Wichita, KS (October 31, 2024) – A passenger was killed after a two-vehicle collision outside of Wichita on Wednesday, October 30. The incident took place on Interstate 235 SB near KS-42 that afternoon around 1:21 p.m. Local reports revealed that 26-year-old Nicholas James Butera of Boynton Beach, FL, was stopped on the right shoulder of the interstate in a 2019 Peterbilt truck-tractor.
The truck re-entered the interstate, moved left into the right lane, and started to accelerate. At the same time, 37-year-old Levi Louis Hauserman of Wichita was headed north in a 2007 Chevrolet cargo van in the right lane. The driver was unable to stop and crashed into the trailer of the big rig. Emergency crews were rushed to the scene to provide aid to the involved parties. Hauserman was transported by ambulance to St. Francis Hospital for the treatment of sustained injuries. A passenger in the Chevy, 49-year-old Justin R. Higgins of Wichita, sustained fatal injuries in the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. No further information on the collision is currently available. Local law enforcement officials are managing an ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.
We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Justin R. Higgins at this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victim and their family in hopes of a full recovery.
Fatal Rear-end Crashes in Kansas
It’s already difficult to predict a serious crash. Unless your eyes are glued to the rearview mirror, you will not know when someone will hit you from behind. Rear-end crashes make up the largest crash category in the United States, with over 1.7 million reported each year. These nearly two million rear-end collisions cause 500,000 injuries and 1,700 fatalities annually on average. It can be difficult to pursue recovery on your own after a serious crash, and it’s always in your best interests to work closely with a qualified Wichita wrongful death lawyer. The trained legal team at Bretz Injury Law is ready to get to work on your case. Give us a call today at 620-524-0080.
