A challenge that could have cost him his life

During National Work Zone Awareness Week, the Kansas Department of Transportation and its safety partners are sharing personal stories each day to illustrate why safety is critical in work zones.

Tuesday safety blog: A challenge that could have cost him his life

Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Phillip Metzen has faced many challenges in his career, but one could have cost him his life in 2025.

Metzen just arrived at a multiple vehicle crash in Wichita in a light snow that left the roads slick. He was calling in his location when another vehicle lost control on the slick pavement and rear-ended Metzen's patrol car. The impact pushed the patrol car 100 feet forward and the impact injured the technical trooper.

"If this crash had occurred just a few seconds later, I would have been outside of my patrol car, and I might not be here today to tell my story," Metzen said.

Read Metzen's safety blog at https://kansastransportation.blogspot.com/, and Metzen's safety blog can also be published provided you credit Phillip Metzen/KDOT.

Above, Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Phillip Metzen

Similar information will be sent daily on the upcoming work zone safety blogs. The include:

Wednesday: Keith Hubler, KDOT Area Superintendent in Clay Center.

Thursday: Heather Jennings, KDOT Construction Manager in Syracuse.

Friday: Andrew Booth, Kansas Turnpike Authority Safety Coordinator in Wichita.

NOTE:

Work zone safety blogs for the 2026 series started Monday, April 20.

###