Early last Saturday morning (December 28, 2013), there was a fatal accident on I-135 that left one man dead. Police said that Jeffery Ely, 27, was killed when his Chevrolet Tahoe was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler truck just south of Newton early Saturday morning (Dec. 28, 2013) at about 2:15 a.m. According to the reports, Ely’s Tahoe was stopped in the northbound lanes near SE 60th Street when the 18-wheeler struck it from behind. The collision caused the Tahoe to explode and Ely was ejected and killed immediately. The police reports didn’t mention why Ely’s Tahoe was stopped or whether there was heavy traffic in the area. The 18-wheeler’s driver, 38 years old, wasn’t badly hurt. (December 28, 2013)
Jeffery “Jeff” Ely, 27, Cartridge Express office manager, passed away Dec. 28, 2013. Jeff was an avid golfer, sports enthusiast, Jayhawker, musician and was inspirational and uplifting. He is survived by his parents, Tom and Sherida Ely of Wichita; brother, Casey; sister, Candy (Ryan) Samaniego of Wichita; grandparents, Wanda and Norman Melzer of Wichita, Richard and Karin Cox of McGregor, MN; niece, Bryttan Samaniego; nephew, Paxton Ely (God Son); girlfriend, Amber Buckles of Wichita. Visitation is 2:00 to 3:00 pm Wednesday (Jan. 1, 2013) at Resthaven Mortuary. Funeral service is 2:00 pm Thursday, January 2 at Riverlawn Christian Church in Wichita. (Resthaven Mortuary, Wichita Kansas).
