Injury accidents

• A tow truck driver had to be taken to the hospital Saturday evening after he was struck by a vehicle near the Lawrence Municipal Airport, an emergency dispatcher said.

Douglas County Sheriff’s officers were investigating the accident Saturday. The tow truck driver’s injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

• An 18-year-old Olathe woman was hospitalized after a head-on collision on I-35 near the Wellsville exit in Franklin County.

Kansas Highway Patrol reports indicate that 41-year-old Gina Poertner, of Emporia, was driving a GMC sport utility vehicle north on I-35 when she lost control of her car on the icy highway. She went through the median into the southbound lane, striking 18-year-old Tessa Pettyjohn’s Honda CRV head-on.

Both women were wearing seat belts. Highway Patrol dispatchers said Poertner was treated at the scene. Pettyjohn was taken to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. A nursing supervisor could not comment on Pettyjohn’s condition, saying she was no longer at Overland Park Regional on Saturday night.

Law enforcement report

• Police are looking for a man who they say beat a 22-year-old Lawrence resident, stole his wallet and took off in a white SUV.

The incident occurred near 12th and Oread streets about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. The man was returning to his home in the area when he was knocked down and beaten in the head.

Lawrence Police Sgt. Susan Hadl said that the victim quickly relinquished his wallet. He was unable to get a good look at the suspect. He saw the suspect jump into the passenger seat of an SUV — possibly a Ford Explorer — and drive away from the scene.

The victim called his credit card company to cancel his cards. He learned somebody had tried to use one of his cards at Steak ‘n Shake near 31st and Iowa streets. Hadl said that police arrived at the Steak ‘n Shake after the suspect left. Restaurant employees said the suspect was a black man wearing a leather jacket and blue jeans. When he was unsuccessful in using the credit card, he told employees that he would go out to his car and get cash. He was last seen driving away in a white SUV.

The victim “had a bump on his head,” Hadl said, but denied medical treatment. Anybody with information about the incidents is asked to call Douglas County dispatchers, 832-7210. Callers who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers, 843-TIPS.

• A 32-year-old transient man was arrested on charges of battery early Saturday morning. He was arrested in the 900 block of Massachusetts Street at 1:06 a.m.

Emergency calls

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical reported no fire calls Saturday.