Washburn University men's basketball coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured Tuesday after his pickup truck crashed into a bridge pillar on the Kansas Turnpike, according to a statement from Washburn University President JuliAnn Mazachek and a Kansas Highway Patrol accident report.
Ballard, 46, was driving alone in his Ford F-150 when the vehicle reportedly left the roadway. The accident report states the truck struck a delineator post, the embankment, and then a bridge pillar.
"We are deeply saddened to share that Coach Brett Ballard was seriously injured in a car accident last evening," Mazachek said in the statement released Wednesday morning. "Our hearts are with Coach Ballard, his family, the men's basketball program and all who are affected during this difficult time."
Mazachek added, "We ask our community to keep them in their thoughts during this time of recovery and to respect the family's privacy. The university will share additional information when appropriate."
Ballard, a former college basketball player at the University of Kansas, is preparing for his ninth season as head coach at Washburn.
