Two Crashes Cause Injuries Near Plains

Two crashes in Meade County sent motorists to the hospital Wednesday afternoon. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 45 year old Kenneth Papay of Meade went was traveling east on Highway 54 one quarter mile west of Plains and went left of center and struck a west bound semi. Papay was taken to Minneola District Hospital with injuries. This crash occurred at about 4:15 Wednesday afternoon.

A second crash occurred about one hour later on 54 and Grand Avenue in Plains. The KHP says two cars were going east on 54 when one car driven by 20 year old Caleb Tatro of Plains attempted to make a U-turn. A semi struck Tatro’s car on the driver’s side. Fifty-eight year old David Ratzlaff of Plains was a passenger in Tatro’s vehicle. Tatro and Ratzlaff was taken to Meade District Hospital with injuries. Both were not wearing a seatbelt.