Officials identify driver in one-car accident just west of Lawrence / LJWorld.com

Douglas County Sheriff’s officers identified 17-year-old Spencer Wilson, of Lawrence, as the driver injured in a crash Wednesday afternoon just northwest of Lawrence.

Sgt. Steve Lewis, a sheriff’s spokesman, said Wilson was driving a 1999 Mazda 323 west on North 1700 Road, which is an extension of Peterson Road. About 1:20 p.m., the vehicle left the road and struck a culvert and some trees.

Wilson was flown by a LifeStar helicopter ambulance to Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., but hospital officials said Thursday information about his condition was unavailable. Lewis said driver inattention was listed as a contributing factor to the crash, but because of the severity of Wilson’s injuries, officers have delayed further investigation for now.

Julie Boyle, a Lawrence school district spokeswoman, said Wilson is a Free State High School junior.

It was one of several injury accidents Wednesday that kept emergency responders busy in Lawrence and Douglas County. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers are investigating a crash on U.S. Highway 40 west of Lawrence that happened early Wednesday that killed Patrick D. Henderson, 34, of Perry, after his 1992 GMC pickup truck went off the road. Officers were called about 8:20 a.m., but troopers were trying to determine when it occurred.

Wednesday afternoon and evening, police responded to two injury accidents and seven non-injury accidents, said Sgt. Trent McKinley, a police spokesman.

In one accident, Ashley Marie Heller, 23, Lawrence, failed to stop at a flashing red light at 3:05 p.m. at the intersection of North Third Street and the Kansas Turnpike entrance in North Lawrence.

She crashed her northbound 2007 Dodge Charger into a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport, driven by Socorro Salais III, 27, Kansas City, Mo., as he was turning left onto North Third Street. Heller suffered a compound fracture to her arm and was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital, McKinley said. Salais was injured but refused transport to the hospital.

Heller was cited for violating a flashing red traffic signal, driving while suspended and having no insurance. Salais, although officers determined he was not at fault for the crash, was also cited for not having insurance, McKinley said.

whatever95 1 year ago

How do these people drive with NO insurance?

Bulldogtow 1 year ago

I think you would be amazed (or scared) if you realize how many people are driving on suspended or no drive license or have no insurance. I would say close to 25-30% of the people we would deal with wouldn't have any insurance. It's bad if they hit you. Always best to have uninsured motorist on your own policy if you can afford it!

Phoghorn 1 year ago

Uninsured motorist coverage is a good idea (and no, I am not an insurance salesman). My car got hit on a parking lot a couple years ago and it required some expensive body work. Because it was a hit and run, it was considered to be an uninsured motorist case. This lowered my deductible, so I only had to pay the minimum amount.

Archive for Thursday, April 26, 2012