…what caused the 36-year-old Wichita man to lose control in the early morning darkness. The crash happened just before sunrise, when traffic along I-135 was light and visibility limited by fog and slick pavement from overnight drizzle. Witnesses reported seeing the Dodge Nitro swerve sharply as it approached the Hydraulic exit ramp before vaulting over the
embankment and slamming into a light pole. The SUV rolled several times, scattering debris across both shoulders before coming to rest upside down in a ditch.Emergency crews from Wichita Fire and EMS arrived within minutes, but it was immediately clear that Theis had sustained fatal injuries.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators with the Kansas Highway Patrol said the force of the crash was so great that parts of the vehicle’s undercarriage were torn away, and the roof was nearly flattened. Troopers also confirmed that Theis had not been wearing a seatbelt, a factor they believe could have contributed significantly to the severity of his injuries.
Authorities spent several hours reconstructing the scene, photographing skid marks, measuring distances, and collecting evidence to determine whether speed, distraction, or fatigue played a role. Toxicology results are pending as part of the standard investigation. The wreck temporarily closed the northbound lanes of I-135, causing early-morning commuters to be rerouted around the Hydraulic exit.
Family and friends described Bradley Theis as a hardworking, easygoing man who loved cars and often helped friends with mechanical repairs. His sudden death has left those close to him grappling with shock and grief. As troopers continue to investigate, they are using the tragedy to remind drivers that seatbelts save lives and that even a moment’s lapse in attention or speed can turn a routine drive into a devastating loss.
