📱

The new Great Bend Post app is here.

Download now
Oct 24, 2026

Kansas couple killed in head-on motorcycle accident

Posted Oct 24, 2026 12:30 AM

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just after 12:30p.m. Friday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Harley-Davidson driven by Michael Lavern Schmidt, 71, Preston, was eastbound On U.S. 166 approximately three miles north of Caney. The driver failed to negotiate the curve to the South and crossed the center line. The motorcycle struck a westbound 2025 GMC Sierra driven by Gary Vandebruinhorst, 73, Peck, Kansas, head-on in the westbound shoulder/grass area.

Schmidt and a passenger Barbara J. Schmidt, 63, Preston, were pronounced dead at the scene. Vandebruinhorst and a passenger in the pickup were not injured.  The occupants of the pickup were properly restrained, according to the KHP. The Patrol had no information on whether the motorcyclist and passenger were wearing helmets.