Meth, alcohol factors in crash that killed Starkey residents, affidavit says

The man accused of killing two Starkey residents in west Wichita collision last month was fueled up on methamphetamine and alcohol and had been driving 49 mph a half second before the crash, according to a police affidavit released Thursday by Sedgwick County District Court.

Post-collision data downloaded and analyzed from the 2009 Cadillac Escalade driven by Bret Blevins also suggests he didn’t apply the SUV’s brakes before the impact, the affidavit says.

Blevins, 56, is charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, four counts of aggravated battery, one count of leaving the scene of an accident and one count of driving with a suspended license in connection with the May 6 crash.

Police say Blevins blew through the stop sign at the intersection of Young and Newell at about 3:45 p.m. and broadsided a van carrying staff and residents of Starkey Inc., a local provider of day services, transportation and housing to people with mental disabilities.

The force of the impact pushed the van nearly the length of a city block and up into a yard.

Dirk MacMillan, 46, and Leonard “Dusty” Atterbery, 25, were killed. Two Starkey staff members and a 33-year-old Starkey resident survived but were hospitalized.

The van was taking MacMillan, Atterbery and the 33-year-old home from the day program when the crash occurred.

The affidavit, written by a Wichita police detective, was used to help justify the filing of criminal charges against Blevins on May 20. It says Blevins tested positive for meth and had a blood alcohol level of 0.124 – 1 1/2 times the legal limit of .08 to drive in Kansas – about three hours after the collision.

The document also says police found evidence of Blevins’ drinking in and around the crashed SUV, including a can of grape alcoholic malt beverage, a drink pouch from a wine cocktail, three unopened miniature bottles of liquor and a beer bottle cap.

Police noted in the affidavit that Blevins smelled of alcohol, had glazed and bloodshot eyes, slurred his speech and “walked slowly and deliberately” when he was found after running from the crash scene.

A woman riding in the SUV with Blevins told police who interviewed her that Blevins had been drinking prior to the collision, including downing a bottle of beer as he drove home from a fast-food restaurant shortly before striking the van, according to the affidavit.

Blevins remains in Sedgwick County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bond. Court records show Blevins had at least three previous DUI convictions – two in 1995 and another in 1996 – as well as a prior conviction for possession of meth.

His driver’s license has been suspended or revoked on numerous occasions.

He is due in court for his preliminary hearing Aug. 5.

This story was originally published June 2, 2016 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Meth, alcohol factors in crash that killed Starkey residents, affidavit says."