Three Vehicle Accident Closes Highway 54 at Meade/Seward County Line

A three vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon, temporarily shut down a portion of US Highway 54 yesterday afternoon. The accident occurred at approximately 2:38 Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 54 and Meade County Road 4. A 1997 Chevy truck being driven by Joel Adrian Watson, 16, of Plains, was stopped in the eastbound lane of Highway 54, waiting to turn left at Meade County Road 4, when he was struck in the rear by a 2002 Peterbilt semi being driven by Richard Wagner, 64, of Vancouver Washington. The Watson pick up spun around, and was stuck by a 2000 Kenworth semi being driven by Jose Arrendondo, 57, of Liberal, who was westbound on Highway 54. Joel Watson was taken to Meade District Hospital to be treated for his injuries, as was a passenger in his vehicle, Wendy Torres, 41, of Plains. She was later flown to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Richard Wagner was also taken to the Meade District Hospital to be treated for possible injuries, as was Jose Conception Arrendondo, the driver of the third vehicle. Highway 54 was closed down and traffic rerouted during the investigation and clean up of the accident.