Ark City bicyclist dies of injuries after striking tractor-trailer

Semi swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid collision, but was unable to do so

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (April 27, 2021) — The Arkansas City Police Department is investigating an accident involving a bicyclist who struck the side of a semi tractor-trailer and later died of his injuries.

Officers were dispatched around 8:35 a.m. April 27 to the 200 block of West Madison Avenue/U.S. 166 for a report of an injury accident involving a bicycle and a motor vehicle.

Police arrived at the scene and made contact with the bicycle rider, who was lying in the roadway. He was identified as Kevin Scotty Thompson, 64, of Arkansas City. Thompson was transported by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department to South Central Kansas Medical Center in serious condition.

He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital due to the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Witnesses at the scene reported Thompson had struck the side of a westbound semi tractor-trailer.

Police interviewed the driver of the semi, Ricky Morgan, 49, of Big Cabin, Oklahoma. Morgan said he saw Thompson proceed through the stop sign at First Street and Madison Avenue without stopping.

Morgan said he tried to swerve to miss Thompson’s bicycle but was unable to do so, even though he crossed the yellow center line into the eastbound lane of West Madison Avenue/U.S. 166.

This report was confirmed by another witness at the scene, according to police. The accident remains under investigation. No further information will be released at this time.