Late Wednesday night, the quiet community of Great Bend was rocked by heartbreaking news: 72‑year-old Mark DeWald, a longtime resident, died in a head‑on collision just northwest of town. According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir, the crash happened around 8:56 p.m. on K‑96 near Northwest 30 Avenue, about three miles out of Great Bend.
DeWald was driving his 2016 Ford Fusion eastbound when, for reasons still under investigation, his car mysteriously crossed over the center line into the opposite lane. There it slammed into a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, driven by a 17-year-old, Luke Krehbiel of Timken.
The impact was severe. The pickup caught fire upon collision, and though firefighters with the Great Bend Fire Department were quick to respond, the damage was done. DeWald was pronounced dead at the scene by the Barton County Coroner’s Office. Krehbiel was hurt, but only slightly — he was rushed to the University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend and survived with minor injuries.
Investigators are treating the possibility that DeWald had a medical emergency just before the crash, which may explain why his car veered left across the road. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge in the coming days.
Friends and neighbors are reflecting on DeWald’s life, remembering him as a kind-hearted, gentle soul whose presence in the community was quietly powerful. Though no formal memorial or funeral plans have been made public yet, many are already coming together to honor his memory.
This tragedy has also stirred deeper conversations about driving safety and health on the road — especially when medical issues may play a role. It’s a sobering reminder just how fragile life can be, and how quickly things can change.
As the investigation continues, the Great Bend community mourns not just the passing of a neighbor, but the loss of a genuinely caring person. Mark DeWald’s legacy — his warmth, his generosity, his kindness — will be felt for a long time by those who knew him.
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