Ellis County, KS (December 14, 2025) – Authorities identified Julio Caesar Villarreal, 37, of WaKeeney, as the man who was struck and killed on the shoulder of Interstate 70 while he was helping to load a trailer.
Accident Details: The accident occurred around 4 p.m. on Sunday in Ellis County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, three pedestrians were loading a disabled vehicle onto a trailer pulled by a 1996 Ford F250 on the north shoulder of Interstate 70 by the 183 Bypass. The pickup was legally parked on the shoulder and towing a 2014 Eagle trailer hauling a 2009 Chevy Tahoe.
One of the three pedestrians, Villarreal, was helping to strap down the vehicle on the trailer. He was standing on the side of the trailer closest to the roadway. A westbound Freightliner semi truck, driven by Alejandro Fuentes-Castro, 53, failed to maintain his lane while driving. The semi truck struck Villarreal while he was on the roadway side of the vehicle.
Villarreal was pronounced dead at the scene. The two other pedestrians were identified as Randall Hilgers, 42, and Juan A. Mejia, 53. They were not injured. An 11-year-old boy was in the 1996 Ford and was not injured. The Ford pickup and the Chevy Tahoe both sustained damage.
Fuentes-Castro, the driver of the semi truck, was not injured.
Investigation: The Kansas Highway Patrol is continuing a detailed investigation into the fatal incident on Interstate 70 near the 183 Bypass in Ellis County. They will examine evidence to determine how and why a semi truck left its lane, entered the shoulder, and struck a pedestrian who was lawfully assisting with a disabled vehicle.
Investigators will likely analyze the following:
- Lane deviation analysis: Investigators will focus on why the westbound Freightliner semi truck failed to maintain its lane and traveled onto the shoulder, where the pickup, trailer, and pedestrians were positioned.
- Scene evidence evaluation: Troopers will examine physical evidence such as vehicle damage, debris patterns, tire marks, and the placement of the trailer and pickup to reconstruct the sequence of events.
- Driver conduct review: Authorities will assess the semi truck driver’s actions leading up to the collision, including speed, attentiveness, and whether distraction or fatigue may have played a role.
- Vehicle condition checks: Mechanical inspections of the semi truck may be conducted to rule out brake, steering, or equipment failures that could have contributed to the loss of control.
- Environmental assessment: Investigators will evaluate traffic flow, visibility, roadway design, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
These findings will help establish a clear timeline, determine fault, and assess whether any traffic laws or safety regulations were violated.
Legal Considerations: Commercial truck drivers have a heightened duty to maintain lane control and operate their vehicles safely, particularly when stopped vehicles and pedestrians are present on the shoulder of a highway.
If the investigation determines that the semi truck driver failed to maintain his lane or otherwise drove negligently, civil liability may apply for the death and property damage that resulted. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may also extend to the trucking company if issues such as inadequate training, supervision, or safety compliance are identified.
For the family of Julio Caesar Villarreal, the sudden loss of a loved one under these circumstances is devastating. A wrongful death claim may help surviving family members seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance Villarreal provided. While no legal action can undo the tragedy, pursuing a claim can offer a measure of accountability and financial stability during an incredibly challenging time.
My sincere condolences go out to Julio Caesar Villarreal’s family and friends as they face this difficult time.
Source: Salina Post