With profound sadness, we remember Curtis A. Thaxton, 45, of Kansas City, Missouri, whose life was tragically cut short Sunday night, October 4, 2026, after he was struck by multiple vehicles along U.S. 169 Highway in Miami County, Kansas. The incident occurred between Evening Star Road and Pleasant Valley Road at approximately 10 p.m., after a 911 call reported a person in the roadway.
According to the preliminary account, a motorist reported that Curtis was in the middle of the highway and had begun moving toward her vehicle, causing her to back away. While she remained on the phone with emergency dispatchers, she reported that Curtis had been struck by a vehicle. The driver reportedly turned around and returned to the scene.
The tragedy continued as a Miami County Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived and Curtis was struck by a second vehicle. Investigators also believe a third vehicle may have been involved. That vehicle has been described as possibly being a black Hyundai Tucson with black wheels traveling northbound behind the second vehicle.
Deputies immediately began lifesaving efforts, and Miami County EMS soon took over Curtis’s care. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The circumstances remain under investigation as authorities work to establish exactly what happened during those tragic moments on U.S. 169. Investigators do not currently believe foul play was involved.
But beyond the roadway, the vehicles and the investigation was a human life — a person whose existence mattered to family, friends and others who knew him.
At 45 years old, Curtis had lived through decades filled with memories, conversations, experiences, hopes and dreams. His sudden passing has brought an unexpected and painful absence to those whose lives were connected to his.
There is something especially difficult about losing someone in a moment that arrives without warning. An ordinary October night can change in an instant, leaving behind questions for investigators and grief for those who loved the person at the center of the tragedy.
Curtis will now be remembered not for the circumstances of his final moments, but for the life he lived and the memories he leaves behind.
As investigators continue searching for answers, may Curtis’s memory remain stronger than the tragedy surrounding his death. May his loved ones find comfort in the moments they shared with him and strength as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
May Curtis A. Thaxton rest peacefully. May his memory continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him.
