On Thursday, March 9, 2023, at about 8:45 p.m., Barton County Sheriff’s deputies were notified of an injury accident in the 5600 block of Railroad Avenue, just south of the city of Great Bend. Deputies were advised two persons were injured, and one driver had fled the scene. Investigation at the scene indicates a blue 2008 Dodge Caravan was westbound, operated by the driver who fled. That driver, later identified as Timothy Chism, crossed left of center and struck a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Amanda Staub of Hudson.
Staub and a passenger in the Chism vehicle, identified as Mary Schlotthauer of Great Bend, were both transported to the University of Kansas Healthcare Systems - Great Bend Campus. Staub was later transported to a Wichita area hospital.
Officers located Chism at a Great Bend residence at approximately 2 p.m. Friday afternoon. Chism has been previously booked into the Barton County jail 52 times and was on Community Corrections at the time of the accident.