By Lucky Kidd
RENO COUNTY, Kan. — A single vehicle accident over the noon hour Wednesday west of Pretty Prairie resulted in three serious injuries and one fatality of Reno County Public Works employees.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a vehicle driven by Melvin Hoyle of South Hutchinson was eastbound on Pretty Prairie Road just east of High Point Road, about five miles west of Pretty Prairie when for unknown reasons it left the roadway to the right then overcorrected twice before rolling, coming to rest on the road on the driver’s side facing north.
An occupant in the vehicle, David Brian Serviss, 49 of Arlington, died at the scene. Hoyle and passengers Casey Pattinson, 35 and Dale Baker, 28, both of Buhler, received serious injuries. Hoyle and Pattinson were taken to Wichita Hospitals while Baker was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
The Highway Patrol’s crash report said none of the occupants of the vehicle were wearing seat belts at the time.
In a statement late Wednesday afternoon, the county said, “Reno County wants to express our deepest sympathies and know our thoughts are with our employees and their families during this difficult time.”
In light of the accident, Reno County Public Works will be closed for the rest of the week and will reopen Monday. Thursday’s scheduled Reno County Planning Commission meeting will take place as scheduled.
