Robert Elias, 51, of Valley Falls, dies in early-morning pickup crash 1.7 miles north of Meriden

A Valley Falls man died early Saturday morning when he was ejected from his pickup truck as it rolled during a one-vehicle crash that occurred on K-4 highway, 1.7 miles north of Meriden.

Robert Elias, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol accident report.

The crash occurred at 4:20 a.m., the report said. Elias hadn't been wearing a seat belt, it said.

It said Elias was alone driving a 2006 Chevy Silverado southbound on K-4 when the pickup went off the highway onto its west shoulder, Elias overcorrected and the truck crossed both lanes and left the highway on its east side.

The pickup then went down an embankment and rolled, striking a tree before it came to rest upright hanging over a culvert, the report said.

Elias was the father of Valley Falls High School student Denten Elias, Valley Falls USD 338 indicated in a post Saturday on its Facebook page. The district offered counseling services Saturday afternoon for any students who needed it, according to that page.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934.