photo by: Kansas Department of Corrections

Zachary Odom in 2021

A 29-year-old Tecumseh man accused of second-degree murder in Douglas County was booked into the Douglas County Jail this week.

The man, Zachary Ray Odom, has been charged with multiple crimes related to the death of Leonard “Skip” Schupp, 51, of Oskaloosa, after an alleged driving under the influence incident on July 18. In addition to the murder charge, Odom is accused of leaving the scene of a fatality accident, two counts of aggravated battery while driving under the influence, interference with law enforcement, no proof of insurance, and improper driving on a “laned roadway.”

Court records indicate that Odom was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol on a warrant Wednesday. He is being held on a bond of $500,000 cash or surety. His next court date is Wednesday, Oct. 29.

The highway patrol said that the wreck involved three vehicles on U.S. Highway 40. Odom’s 2012 Ford Focus was westbound around 12:45 p.m., but went into the eastbound lanes, and struck a cargo van driven by a man from Tennessee, KHP said, then collided head-on with Schupp’s 1965 Ford F100 pickup. Schupp died at the scene, and a 15-year-old in his vehicle suffered serious injuries.

The cargo van driver suffered minor injuries, while Odom was seriously injured, KHP said.

Schupp’s obituary says that he died July 18 near Lecompton “due to injuries sustained in a car accident.” He was the father of three daughters.

“His family was his deepest dream come true,” his obituary says.

A University of Kansas graduate with a degree in environmental science, Schupp most recently worked as the senior project manager for Blue Flame Crew LLC.