The Barton County Sheriff’s Office suspects alcohol was involved in an accident Sunday involving a stolen pickup in Barton County.
Jaime Garcia, 18, was booked into the county jail on charges of driving under the influence, no driver’s license, accident involving injury, duty of driver, minor in consumption, obstruction and felony theft. His bond was set at $50,000 for the theft case and $2,500 for other charges.
The BCSO reports Garcia allegedly stole a blue 2005 Ford Ranger from 353 SW 30 Ave. around 9:15 a.m. Sunday. Fifteen minutes later, as he was driving east on U.S. 56, about a mile east of Dundee, he lost control and the truck went off the road to the right. It continued through the embankment and bounced off, rolling twice and landing on its top. A witness reported seeing an injured male exit the pickup and run into a tree line.
The BCSO, Kansas Highway Patrol and Great Bend Fire Department set up a perimeter in an attempt to locate Garcia. Around 10:54 a.m. he was spotted from the KHP airplane, lying in a field. Deputies took him into custody without incident.
He was treated at the scene by Great Bend Emergency Medical Service and he refused transport to the hospital.
At last report the case was still under investigation.