By BEN KLEINE

Staff writer

As far as Kansas Highway Patrol master trooper C. Eric Rust could tell, there was no obvious reason a pilot car collided with a parked semi-tractor truck Monday afternoon, at approximately 2 p.m., in the Kansas Department of Transportation construction area on U.S. 77 near 140th Road. He said there was no evidence that the pilot car had attempted to stop.

Kent Dewitt McEntire, 56, of Wichita, the driver of the 2004 Freightline truck owned by Groendyke Transfers Inc. followed the instructions of the flagger, was parked, and was waiting to move. He was hauling a 2010 Polar Trailer.

Tammie Lynn Stoker, 28, of Wichita was driving the pilot car, owned by Dustrol Inc. The vehicle struck the driver-side fender of the truck.

The 2002 Buick Century pilot car was completely totaled, with immense damage to front end of the vehicle, although there was more damage on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Stoker was taken by air ambulance to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Several minutes after the accident, the driver of the truck appeared to be uninjured; he was walking around and talking to Rust.

Marion fire and police departments were the first responders at the accident. Florence Fire Department and a Marion County Sheriff’s officer also responded.