On Thursday, Oct. 8 at about 11:20 p.m., 911 Communications received a report of an injury accident on US 281 just north of the city of Great Bend. The accident occurred near milepost 106 in a construction area where a bridge is being built.
Upon arrival at the scene, Sheriff’s deputies discovered a two-vehicle injury accident.
Initial investigation indicates a 1986 Ford Mustang convertible operated by Jason Bitter, age 33 of Great Bend, was northbound on US 281 Highway at a high rate of speed. 911 had received a reckless driving complaint on the same vehicle a few minutes prior to the reported collision.
The second vehicle, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix operated by Carlos Orozco, age 22 of Leoti, had been stopped at the construction site when the light turned green and began to proceed north. Investigation indicates the Bitter vehicle struck the rear of the Orozco vehicle at a high rate of speed. The impact caused Orozco’s Pontiac to strike the crash barriers and spin into the East ditch. The Bitter vehicle also came to rest in the East ditch.
Both drivers were transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center Great Bend campus at which time they were flown to Wichita-area hospitals in serious condition.
The Sheriff’s Office believes alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident. Criminal charges will pursued upon further investigation and toxicology reports.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS service as well as the Kansas Highway Patrol.