PLEASANTON — A 44-year-old Topeka man was killed and 4-year-old Topeka boy was injured in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 69 at Pleasanton Thursday afternoon. Melvin O’Connor II, Topeka, was driving south on U.S. 69 when a car driven by Weston Maxfield, 20, Pleasanton, entered U.S. 69 from the Pleasanton interchange, the Kansas Highway Patrol said. As O’Connor was passing Maxfield, Maxfield switched lanes and sideswiped O’Connor, the highway patrol said. O’Connor’s SUV spun and dropped into the ditch and rolled over two and a half times. Troopers said O’Xonnor wasn’t wearing a seat belt and was thrown out. He was taken to Overland Park Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His passenger, Malcomb O’Bonnor wasn’t in a child safety seat and was also thrown out. The boy was taken to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Maxfield wasn’t injured.
Monday, Aug. 8, 3 p.m.
