Olin Wayne Schmidt

Newton man dies in U.S. 50 crash

Cristina Janney

Newton Kansan

A Newton man died as a result of crash Tuesday on U.S. Highway 50 in Walton.

The driver of a semi was westbound on U.S. 50 at about 10:30 a.m. when Olin Schmidt, 88, of Newton attempted to pull his 1995 Chevy Corsica out from Grant Street onto U.S. 50.

The semi driver told law enforcement officials he honked his horn but could not stop, said Harvey County Sheriff T. Walton.

A witness at the scene, who did not wish to be identified said, "There is no way the semi could have stopped."

Schmidt was taken by ambulance to Via Christi Regional Medical Center on St. Francis with critical injuries where he died.

The driver of the semi, Timothy Finch, 31, of Bridgeton, Mo., was unhurt.

Walton said Finch was found not at fault, and no charges will be filed.

U.S. 50 had to be temporarily closed while the accident was cleared.

See video of this incident on the Kansan Web site at www.thekansan.com.