Highway patrol says alcohol a factor in double-fatality on K-10

A Kansas Highway Patrol report lists alcohol as a contributing factor for each driver involved in a two-vehicle accident on Sept. 12 that killed a Lawrence woman and Olathe man.

But according to the preliminary report, results are pending on toxicology tests that should determine the drivers’ blood-alcohol content.

In the crash, which occurred about 3 a.m. on Kansas Highway 10 near De Soto, Eric T. Sill, 20, of Olathe, was driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes. His 2000 Toyota Camry collided head-on with a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta driven by Kara Morgan, a Kansas University student. The patrol’s report said Morgan was driving faster than the posted speed limit.

The report does not say why troopers believe alcohol contributor to the crash. Technical Trooper Edna Buttler said that could be based on something as simple as odor, witness statements or other evidence.

“We don’t like to pinpoint and say alcohol definitely contributed. We say the evidence indicates alcohol possibly contributed to the crash,” Buttler said.

Both drivers, who were traveling alone, died at the scene.

Fog also was listed as an adverse weather condition.

Morgan’s mother, Connie Morgan of Holton, had said her daughter sent her a text message earlier that night saying she was in the Kansas City area with some friends.

Mrs. Morgan said that the report was not a surprise and that it showed Sill was still at fault for driving the wrong direction.

Troopers had originally identified Morgan as the wrong-way driver, but they changed their report in late September. Buttler said after notifying family members of how they thought the crash transpired, troopers investigated further. That investigation revealed Sill was the wrong-way driver.

Final toxicology test results typically take several weeks or months.