In July 2025, Reuben Terrell was preparing to welcome his first child and had recently opened a tire shop with his father. His fiancée, Jennifer Vasquez, says he was outdoors frequently and that a normal summer weekend soon turned into a medical crisis. After the family took him to the hospital, doctors initially suspected meningitis and admitted him for further testing as his condition worsened.
After days of testing, doctors diagnosed Terrell with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Vasquez says the family is sharing Terrell’s journey in hopes of warning others about tick-borne illness risks as experts indicate this could be the worst tick season on record.
FOX Kansas News at 9 reporter Kate Devine covered the family’s account and how they hope their experience helps others recognize and respond to tick-borne illnesses.