A Kansascollege wrestling star was among eight lives lost in a catastrophic 71-vehicle 'dust storm' pile-up on Interstate 70.
The powerful dust storm descended on western Kansas on March 14, reducing visibility to zero, leading to a chain-reaction crash involving 71 sedans, SUVs and semis near Goodland.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that the collisions occurred between 3:20 and 3:35 pm local time, though the exact sequence of events remains under investigation due to the storm's chaotic conditions.
Among the eight victims who died in the chaotic crashes was 20-year-old Dawson Hogan, a standout high school and college wrestler from Salina, Kansas.
Hogan was 'on his way home from college to spend spring break with his family' when the fatal pile-up occurred, according to a GoFundMepage created by a friend of the family.
'It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic loss of Dawson Hogan, who was among those who lost their lives in the dust storm outside of Goodland,' the friend wrote.
'Dawson was traveling home to Salina to spend time with his family over spring break.'
After graduating from Salina Central High School in 2023 - where he served as captain of the wrestling team and earned State finalist honors - the 20-year-old continued his academic and athletic journey at Fort Hays Northwest Tech.
Among the eight victims was 20-year-old Dawson Hogan, a standout high school and college wrestler from Salina, Kansas
The powerful dust storm descended on western Kansas on March 14, reducing visibility to zero, leading to a devastating chain-reaction crash involving 71 sedans, SUVs and semis on I-70 near Goodland
It was there that he competed on the wrestling team while pursuing a degree in electrical studies.
'He absolutely loved his college life and his friends, old and new, and had developed a strong bond with his wrestling family,' the fundraising page reads.
Hogan was one of six siblings who described their brother as'loving, compassionate, humble, responsible, protective, empathetic, and the glue that held the family together.'
The other victims have been identified as Larry Smith, 72, Baiel Sharshembiev, 24, Carlos Arzate, 48, Manuel Alarcon, 57, Stephanie Percell, 61, Mario Juarez, 31, and Giovanni Stefan, 60.
In addition to the fatalities, 46 other drivers and passengers were injured and transported to hospitals, KWCH12reported.
The heavily trafficked roadway was reportedly closed for more than 24 hours following the deadly crash, according to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman.
Hileman said the 71-car pileup was 'the worst he's ever seen,' adding that the harrowing incident 'will stay with him for a long time to come.'
'We certainly couldn't handle it all by ourselves. Not one fire department can handle it, not just one EMS,' Hileman told KSN.com.
Hogan was one of six siblings who described their brother as 'loving, compassionate, humble, responsible, protective, empathetic, and the glue that held the family together'
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that the collisions occurred between 3:20 and 3:35 pm local time, though the exact sequence of events remains under investigation due to the storm's chaotic conditions
The heavily-trafficked roadway was reportedly closed for more than 24 hours following the deadly crash, according to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman
One driver said that being in the storm felt 'hitting a rogue wave' and compared the dust storm to driving in whiteout conditions
'These things stay with us for the rest of our lives, but it's our job. We try to do it with as much empathy and professionalism as we can. But I'm not going to lie and say it doesn't affect us to see that kind of stuff,' the trooper added.
One driver said that being in the storm felt 'hitting a rogue wave' and compared the dust storm to driving in whiteout conditions.
'It's more or less like being on a boat,' truck driver Kevin McNamara said about driving in the storm. 'If [the wind] is from the side, it's like hitting a rogue wave. It just rocks the truck.'
The violent dust storm was one of the deadliest accidents in Kansas in recent years with the highest gust being reported at a whipping 56 miles per hour.
Robert Rybak and Patty Dowd Schmitz, who were involved in the crash, told local media it was a 'miracle' that they walked away from the wreckage in Kansas.
'We are the lucky ones,' Schmitz said. 'The fact that we're alive and we were able to basically walk away from what should have been a fatal accident. I mean, we're just so lucky and grateful because so many people weren't that lucky.'
Goodland Fire Chief Brian James, who was dispatched to the scene, took to social media a day after the 'emotional experience' to praise heroic emergency services.
The violent dust storm was one of the deadliest accidents in Kansas in recent years with the highest gust being reported at a whipping 56 miles per hour
'Trying to manage multiple agencies, over 30 patients, triaging patients, working over 55 vehicles, fighting the wind with dirt so bad you can't see over 50 to 100 feet, and trying to keep my crews and myself safe was just something to process,'Goodland Fire Chief Brian James wrote on social media
'I must say (yesterday) it was the toughest and most emotional draining experience in my 22 years of being in the fire service,' he wrote.
'Trying to manage multiple agencies, over 30 patients, triaging patients, working over 55 vehicles, fighting the wind with dirt so bad you can't see over 50 to 100 feet, and trying to keep my crews and myself safe was just something to process.'
The fire chief added that he and his staff 'had to think outside of the box' to get patients to safety.
'We had to think outside the box to get patients transported to hospitals in Goodland and Colby by using our fire department support vehicle with AEMT’s in the back to using patrol vehicles from Goodland Police Department, Sherman County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol.'
