The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a single-vehicle accident in which a driver left the scene on foot, leaving behind a disabled passenger.
According to the agency, when deputies arrived at the scene in rural Barton County they found a red 1999 Chevrolet S-10 pickup overturned in a ditch. Deputies also discovered a 40-year-old male, who is a paraplegic, stranded in the vehicle. The driver had left the scene of the crash.
While the Barton County Sheriff’s deputies were on the scene a Kansas Highway Patrol unit as well as Stafford County deputies located the driver approximately a quarter of a mile away from the accident.
The driver was identified as 63-year-old Wendell Akins of Ellinwood. He had a broken clavicle as well as lacerations to the head and various abrasions.
Both the driver and the passenger were transported to Ellinwood District Hospital.
Akins had a suspended driver’s license, and alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor.
Various charges are pending.
