Chain reaction crash kills Moran man

A horrific chain of events Wednesday evening resulted in the death of Scott Welch, 44, Moran, when he was struck by an SUV east of Moran on U.S. 54. Welch was in the highway after his pickup was struck from behind in a separate accident.

Local News

March 13, 2025 - 2:12 PM

Scott R. Welch, 44, Moran, was killed Wednesday evening from injuries he suffered in what became a horrific chain reaction wreck east of Moran.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said Welch was hauling a large bale of hay in his pickup heading eastbound on U.S. 54, about two miles east of Moran, when he was struck from behind by a pickup driven by Raymond L. Streeter, 84, Fort Scott.

Troopers said the bale of hay obstructed the view of Welch’s tail lights, which may have been a contributing factor in the crash.

Welch’s pickup rotated counterclockwise and overturned. Welch was ejected from the vehicle and into the westbound lane of the highway. 

About three minutes later, James J. Bridger, 22, Gainesville, Texas, was westbound on the highway when his sport utility vehicle struck Welch.

Welch was declared dead at the scene.

Neither Streeter nor Bridger were injured, troopers said.

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