LEON, KS — A tragic crash on U.S. Highway 400 has devastated the Wichita community after three family members were killed late Wednesday night. The collision happened just after 10:15 p.m. near mile marker 315, outside the rural town of Leon in eastern Butler County. Authorities say a Chevrolet pickup truck crossed the center line and slammed head-on into a Toyota Tacoma carrying the victims.
The impact was so severe that all three people in the Toyota died at the scene. Butler County Undersheriff Damion Cundiff said a witness reported seeing the Chevrolet swerving in and out of lanes moments before the crash. The violent nature of the crash and early reports suggest that alcohol may have been involved, although the investigation is still ongoing.
The victims were identified as 46-year-old Eliot Eichbauer, his 19-year-old son Arlo Eichbauer, and 16-year-old Silas Eichbauer, Eliot’s nephew and Arlo’s cousin. The three were returning home when their vehicle was struck. Their sudden loss has sent shockwaves through the Wichita area, especially among local schools where two of the victims were students and one was a respected educator.
Eliot Eichbauer taught social studies at Curtis Middle School in Wichita. He was known for his passion for teaching, his care for students, and his dedication to education. Staff and students described him as kind, thoughtful, and always willing to go the extra mile. Wichita Public Schools issued a statement mourning his loss and announced that grief counselors would be available for students and staff.
Silas Eichbauer, just 16, was a student at Wichita North High School. Teachers and friends remember him as funny, bright, and kind to everyone around him. His cousin, Arlo, was 19 and had recently finished school. Family members say he was full of potential, deeply caring, and had big plans for his future.
The Chevrolet pickup truck involved in the crash had three people inside. All were rushed to a Wichita hospital with serious to critical injuries. An EagleMed helicopter was used to transport one of the injured due to the remote location of the crash. Their names have not been released. As investigators continue to gather evidence, the Wichita community is left mourning a terrible loss that has forever changed one family and touched countless lives.