ELLSWORTH COUNTY — A fatality crash involving two semis closed a portion of the westbound lanes of I-70 in Ellsworth County Wednesday.

The Kansas Department of Transportation noted the closure as between exit 219 and exit 204 at K-232 in Ellsworth County. At approximately 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Kansas Highway Patrol was notified of a serious crash involving two semis just west of the Vesper exit 216, about nine miles east of Wilson.

KDOT was on-scene assisting with traffic control and rerouting. Motorists were directed to follow signed detours posted on KDOT message boards.

The KHP’s Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) was also on site. The KHP reported one confirmed fatality in the crash.

One lane was reopened as of 1 p.m. and both lanes were cleared for traffic and reopened by KDOT at 7:07 p.m. Wednesday.

KHP reported that a 2021 Freightliner driven by Iazizion Vafoev, 24, of Trevose, Pa., was traveling westbound at approximately 634 a.m. on the interstate when it attempted to avoid a 2018 Hino that was on its passenger side in the driving lane. The Freightliner struck the Hino on the undercarriage beneath the cab, causing it to spin into the north ditch facing northeast. The Freightliner came to rest facing northwest in the north ditch.

David Bridgeforth, 58, driver of the Hino, was pronounced dead at the scene. Vafoev was transported to the hospital with a suspected serious injury. KHP reported both drivers were wearing safety restraints at the time of the crash.