April 14, 2026, 4:03 a.m. CT — A St. Joseph, Missouri, man has been fined for a traffic violation linked to a December 2024 crash that resulted in the deaths of two Topekans.
Edward R. Bullmaster, 26, pled guilty to failure to yield at a stop sign on April 7, resulting in a $75 fine and $108 in docket fees. This conviction prohibits further prosecution related to the incident.
Authorities confirmed the Kansas Highway Patrol did not file additional charges against Bullmaster, stating insufficient evidence to support a vehicular homicide charge. According to Brown County Attorney Kevin M. Hill, the investigation revealed no signs of excessive speed or impaired driving, indicating that the incident was a result of ordinary negligence.
The crash occurred on December 20, 2024, around 8 a.m. at the intersection of US-75 and K-20 highways. Bullmaster was driving a 2016 Freightliner semi-trailer westbound on K-20 when he failed to stop at the intersection, colliding with a 2019 Ford F-150 driven by Dave Provorse, 64, a Washburn University faculty member. Provorse and his wife, Marcia, 62, were both pronounced dead at the scene.
Both vehicles were found in a ditch west of US-75, with the semi-trailer overturned. Bullmaster and his passenger sustained minor injuries.
Emergency response teams were deployed to the scene. The investigation into the accident has concluded.
For further information, contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.