2 die in head-on collision
By Katelynn Hasler
Last Updated: August 13, 2008

William and Barbara Scott, Tecumseh, Ks, died Friday in a head-on collision with a semi-truck at the U.S. 36 and K. 99 junction, one mile south of Beattie.
According to a report by the Kansas Highway Patrol, who covered the accident, Barbara Scott was driving the car west on U.S. 36 when she crossed over the center line into the path of the truck.
Nigel Primeaux, an officer with the highway patrol, said from what the patrol could determine in their investigation, there was no other vehicle involved. There is nothing to indicate that Scott was attempting to pass another car, he said.
The accident occurred at 9:10 a.m. Both William and Barbara Scott were in their 70s.
After the collision, the Scotts’ vehicle spun and left the road into the north ditch, and the truck slid down the road before landing in the south ditch, the report said.
The truck driver, Roger Cheatham, Macomb, Ill., was taken to the hospital but had no injuries, the report said.
Marysville ambulance services and its Jaws of Life truck were dispatched to the scene, as well as Marysville fire and rescue, said Dennis Rockwell, assistant fire chief for Marysville. Others helping with the accident were Beattie fire and rescue, Sheriff Dan Hargrave, Undersheriff Tim Ackerman and Emergency Management director Jonathan York.
Rescue teams and the Jaws of Life arrived at the scene within minutes, Rockwell said.
The victims were delivered from the scene to Kinsley Mortuary, Marysville.
Cleanup of the accident was put on hold for several hours while the highway patrol completed its investigation, Hargrave said.
More than 200 gallons of diesel were spilled at the scene, and a hazardous materials team from Olathe was sent to clean it, York said.
After the accident, the section of U.S. 36 affected was closed for most of the day.
Cleanup was not finished and the road opened again until about 5 p.m., Hargrave said.