PAXICO, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas state representative is dead after a one-car accident in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says State Rep. Bob Bethell, a Republican from Alden, died Sunday night when his car went off Interstate 70 near the Paxico exit. It hit several trees, overturned and ended up on its roof.

WIBW reports (http://bit.ly/Lc5QH1 ) Bethell was the only person in the car.

The 69-year-old Bethell represented the 113th district since 1999. The district covers Rice County and parts of Reno and Barton counties.

The accident occurred just hours after the Kansas Legislature ended a contentious session that went nine days longer than scheduled.

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He represented much of central Kansas in the state legislature including, Claflin, Ellinwood and Hoisington as well as Bushton, Chase, Lyons and Sylvia.