A vehicle versus deer accident that occurred at 10:32 p.m. on Sunday turned into a manhunt after a second vehicle became involved.
According to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellindir, Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 300 Block of East Barton County Road after a 1997 Dodge pickup operated by Kevin Schartz of Ellinwood hit a deer.
As the officers were arriving at the scene a car struck the rear of the Schartz vehicle. The driver of the 2015 Dodge Dart exited the vehicle and ran south into a stubble field, leaving his passenger trapped in the car. The passenger was identified as Aspen Linenberger, 25, of Great Bend.
“The ambient temperature at the time of the accident was 4 degrees. Sheriff’s officers immediately began searching the area for the driver. At approximately 11:40 p.m., deputies located the suspect hiding in a shed at 12 SE 35 Ave.,” Bellindir said.
Jason Cavender, 40, of Great Bend, was arrested and returned to the scene. Both Linenberger and Cavender received minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
Cavender was transported to the Barton County Jail and booked on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to report injury accident, driving while suspended and criminal trespass. Cavender was being held in the Barton County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bond, but as of Monday he has been released.
The BCSO was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS units.