Sheriff’s report: Alcohol contributed to Wednesday accident near Douglas County State Fishing Lake

A Baldwin City man was flown via helicopter ambulance to Overland Park Regional Medical Center Wednesday afternoon after a one-vehicle rollover accident near the Douglas County State Fish Lake.

Sgt. Steve Lewis, a Douglas County Sheriff’s spokesman, said the driver, 27-year-old Willie Burtrum, was ejected at 4:20 p.m. from a Dodge Caravan that went into the ditch west of North 375 Road. The accident site is southwest of the lake in the southeastern part of the county.

Lewis said Burtrum was driving the van north in the 1800 block of North 375 Road when he lost control for an unknown reason. Two passengers, 34-year-old Tina Leffler and 10-year-old Hunter Leffler, both of Baldwin City, were treated at the scene.

Officers suspect alcohol contributed to the accident, which is still under investigation, Lewis said. He did not have information Thursday morning about who was wearing a seat belt but said it was safe to assume Burtrum was not wearing one because he was ejected from the vehicle.

A hospital spokeswoman said Burtrum was listed in stable condtion Thursday.