MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Two people died in a motorcycle accident just after 12:30 p.m. Friday in Montgomery County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that a 2015 Harley-Davidson, driven by Michael Lavern Schmidt, 71, of Preston, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 166, approximately three miles north of Caney. Schmidt failed to negotiate a curve, crossing the center line and colliding head-on with a westbound 2025 GMC Sierra driven by Gary Vandebruinhorst, 73, of Peck, Kansas.
Both Schmidt and a passenger, Barbara J. Schmidt, 63, of Preston, were pronounced dead at the scene. Vandebruinhorst and a passenger in the pickup truck sustained no injuries. Authorities confirmed that the occupants of the pickup were properly restrained; however, there was no information on whether the motorcyclist and passenger were wearing helmets.
The scene was managed by the Kansas Highway Patrol, and no additional details regarding lane closures or ongoing investigations were provided.