The Kansas Highway Patrol says speed and a sudden lane change sent two minivans spinning into the grass along Interstate 35 near U.S. 69 Highway in Johnson County on Tuesday evening.
According to the highway patrol’s online crash log, at about 5:50 p.m., a 48-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, man was driving a 2005 Honda Odyssey at a “high rate of speed” south on I-35 when he “made an improper lane change” and hit the back of a 2013 Dodge Caravan.
The impact sent both vans off the right side of the highway into the grassy area between I-35 and US-69.
Kansas City Scout traffic cameras showed the red Dodge van about 100 feet off the pavement, while the silver Honda was about 30 feet off the highway but 200 feet farther south than the first van.
Lenexa Police responded to assist with traffic control as Overland Park firefighters and Johnson County Med-Act paramedics checked for injuries.
Southbound I-35 was reduced to two lanes for about 25 minutes, slowing traffic for about two and a half miles back to Shawnee Mission Parkway.
Both drivers, the 48-year-old man from the Honda and a 68-year-old woman from Paola, Kansas, driving the Dodge, were transported by Med-Act ambulances to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Recorded radio traffic indicated that troopers were investigating the man for possible signs of impairment.
According to the crash log, both drivers were alone in their vehicles and were wearing seat belts.
All lanes reopened shortly after 7 p.m.
