Snow plow strikes, kills 2 in Kansas after Midwest storm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A snow plow struck and killed two pedestrians Friday in Kansas after a winter storm coated parts of the Midwest with snow.

The collision involving a Riley County plow truck happened shortly after 5 a.m. after the National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories across parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin and a large swath of Missouri.

Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardner said he was headed to the scene on the northeast edge of the Kansas State University campus. He said he didn't yet have the names or ages of the victims. The accident is under investigation.

Marvin Rodriguez, chairman of the Riley County Commission, described the accident as a “tremendous tragedy."

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in the accident,” he said in a news release.

In neighboring Missouri, roads in much of the north of the state are covered in snow. The Missouri Department of Transportation urged drivers in a news release to “remain vigilant.”

The University of Missouri's flagship campus in Columbia canceled all classes that were scheduled to start before 10 a.m. Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, also announced a delayed start.

Numerous school districts canceled classes, including several in the Kansas City area.