The Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rollover crash with injuries around 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, on SE 70 Road at SE 100 Ave., rural Ellinwood. A paraplegic passenger was rescued from a pickup in the ditch; the driver left the scene prior to officers’ arrival but was later located, Sheriff Brian Bellendir reports.

Deputies discovered a red, 1999 Chevrolet S-10 pickup overturned in the west ditch. They also discovered a 40-year-old male, who is a paraplegic, stranded in the vehicle. Investigation at the scene  indicated the pickup was eastbound on SE 70 Road when the driver and failed to negotiate the curve at SE 100 Ave.

“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 one-fourth of a mile away from the accident,” Bellendir stated in a news release. “The driver was identified as Wendell Akins, age 63, of Ellinwood. Akins had a broken clavicle as well as lacerations to the head and various abrasions. Akins and the passenger were transported to Ellinwood District Hospital.

“Akins had a suspended driver’s license at the time of the accident. Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor. Various charges are pending,” Bellendir concluded.

The name of the injured passenger was not released.