Nov. 2, 2026, 1:52 p.m. CT
A second victim has died following a collision between a trash truck and a sport-utility vehicle at 11:20 a.m. on Oct. 23 near SW 21st Street and Auburn Road.
Richard W. Purcell, 80, of Paxico, succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 24 in Topeka, according to his online obituary. His wife, 77-year-old Carol M. Purcell, also of Paxico, died at the scene.
The crash occurred when the northbound trash truck struck the westbound SUV, driven by Carol Purcell, as it pulled onto the roadway, according to Deputy Abigail Christian, spokesperson for the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office. Richard was a passenger in the SUV.
The trash truck's driver sustained minor injuries, Christian reported. Deputies are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.