Lawrence father could face charges after truck accident; Son remains hospitalized

A 12-year-old Lawrence boy remained hospitalized Monday at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., after he fell from the bed of a pickup truck his father was driving Saturday morning in southeastern Lawrence.

The father, 39, was initially arrested on charges of driving under the influence and endangering a child after a breath test estimated his blood-alcohol content was more than 2.5 times the legal limit, according to the accident report.

According to jail records, the father was released from custody Monday, and Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said his office was still investigating the incident before making a decision about official criminal charges.

The accident occurred at 9:30 a.m. in the 1900 block of East 30th Street after the westbound truck hit a bump in the street and a portable basketball goal fell from the back of the pickup. The driver’s 12-year-old son, who was trying to secure the basketball goal, also fell to the street.

The father told police he was driving 25 mph to 30 mph.

The father stopped the truck, picked up his son and rushed him to the family’s home about two blocks away to call for help.

The boy was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital for treatment. He had suffered abrasions to his elbows, chest, knees and back. A doctor at LMH had him transferred to Children’s Mercy as a precaution to determine whether he had any internal injuries.

A spokeswoman at Children’s Mercy Hospital on Monday said the boy was in fair condition. Sgt. Matt Sarna, a Lawrence police spokesman, said the boy’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The man’s 16-year-old son, who also was in the back of the pickup, was not injured.

According to the accident report, a police-administered breath test estimated the man’s blood-alcohol content at 0.218. The legal limit in Kansas is 0.08.

Officers also determined the driver operated the vehicle unlawfully with an unsecured load and passengers riding in the bed.

The Journal-World generally does not name suspects until they are officially charged.