The Barton County Sheriff’s Office investigated a pair of injury crashes Monday evening.

Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir noted that a 19-year-old driver was injured in a one-vehicle crash at approximately 5:20 p.m. on Oct. 23 in the 200 block of NE 20 Ave.

Upon arrival, Sheriff’s deputies located a 1997 Acura on the side of the roadway in a field. Witnesses at the scene indicated the driver, Kendriyk Turner, 19, Great Bend, had been ejected from the vehicle when it rolled. 

Investigation revealed Turner was southbound on NE 20 Ave. when he evidently lost control of the vehicle overturning into the east ditch. Turner was transported to the University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend campus and was later flown to a Wichita area hospital. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS.

At approximately 7 p.m., BCSO was notified of a vehicle striking a pole in the 400 block of NW 10 Road. Deputies arrived at the scene and located a 2002 Ford Explorer on the north side of the road. The driver was identified as Dalton Contrerez, 27, Great Bend. 

Investigation indicated Contrerez was eastbound on NW 10 Road when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole, coming to rest in the field. The vehicle sustained heavy front-end damage and airbag deployment. Contrerez suffered significant facial and head injuries in the collision. He was transported to the University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend campus. The Sheriff’s Office was again assisted by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS service, Sheriff Bellendir said.