Murphy Woodmansee, age 15, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 7 following a car accident. Woodmansee was from Great Bend and a student at Hoisington High School.
According to the Barton County Sheriff's Office incident report, the fatality was reported at 4:19 p.m. on N. U.S. 281 Highway at MM 110. The location is near the 4-H building between Great Bend and Hoisington.
The Barton County Sheriff's Office responded to the two-vehicle accident.
Investigation at the scene indicates Woodmansee's 2013 Chevrolet Malibu was southbound on U.S. 281 and crossed left of center into the northbound lane, striking a tractor-trailer combination unit.
Woodmansee was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 2021 Kenworth conventional tractor and semi-trailer was operated by Sean Guesnier, age 62 of Great Bend. The trailer was loaded with sand at the time of the incident. Guesnier sustained minor injuries in the collision.
U.S. 281 was closed until approximately 8 p.m. while debris was removed from the highway with heavy equipment.
At this time, it is not known what caused the Woodmansee vehicle to cross left of center. The accident is still under investigation.
The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Hoisington EMS, Hoisington Fire Department, Hazmat Response and the Kansas Department of Transportation.
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Obituary from Bryant Funeral Home...
Murphy Russel Woodmansee passed away December 7, 2021, in Barton County. He was born on March 15, 2006, in Hutchinson, to Michael & Marissa (Grow) Woodmansee.
A lifetime Great Bend resident, Murphy was a sophomore at Hoisington High School, where he was active in golf and band. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Great Bend and Boy Scout Troop #157. Murphy enjoyed working at his first job, Wetlands Waterpark, during the summer and playing video games, which allowed him to build and maintain valuable friendships. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with family, camping, canoeing, and kayaking.
Survivors include, his parents, Michael and Marissa Woodmansee of the home; his grandmothers, Carol Woodmansee of Great Bend and Renita Chasteen of Hoisington; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who are considered family. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Phil Woodmansee.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 13, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church in Great Bend, with Reverend Kathleen Luke presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been designated to the USD 431 Education Foundation or First Presbyterian Church (to benefit the activities of interest to the Murphy Woodmansee Family), in care of Bryant Funeral Home.