Alleged drunk driver rear-ends another car, keeps driving for 30 minutes in Kansas
An alleged drunk driver rear-ended another vehicle in a construction zone on I-70, went around the vehicle and continued driving for 30 minutes, fleeing the scene, authorities said.
The incident occurred at 9:55 p.m. on Saturday along I-70 in Geary County, Kansas Highway Patrol crash logs show.
A 2016 Nissan Altima entered a construction zone on I-70 and began to slow down. A 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo entered the construction zone and rear-ended the Altima, went around it and continued on, according to the crash report.
The incident occurred after a Kansas State University game. The driver of the Altima followed the Monte Carlo while notifying authorities, KHP trooper Ben Gardner posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A KHP trooper located and stopped both vehicles in Saline County.
“Upon contact, it was clear the driver of the suspect vehicle was severely impaired. So impaired, in fact, that he drove 30 miles without realizing his airbags had deployed,” Gardner said.
Authorities reportedly found open beer cans; the driver of the Monte Carlo admitted to drinking alcohol, Gardner said.
The driver, a 40-year-old man from Kearney, Nebraska, was arrested and booked into jail.
The driver of the Altima, a 27-year-old Wichita man, drove himself to the hospital with possible injuries. His passenger, a 54-year-old Wichita woman, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Salina Regional Health Center, the KHP said.
This story was originally published September 1, 2024 at 12:28 PM.