On Saturday, July 19, 2025, at about 4:45 p.m., deputies from the Barton County Sheriff's Office responded to reported motor vehicle accident south of Ellinwood on SE 105 Avenue near SE 20 Road.
Upon arrival, deputies located a single-vehicle rollover. The vehicle had been observed leaving the city of Ellinwood of the high rate of speed.
Investigation scene indicates that the 2007 GMC Yukon was southbound on Southeast 105 Avenue when it failed to negotiate the curve on to SE 20 Road. The vehicle left the roadway into an open area where it rolled multiple times. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Blake Peters, 35, of Ellinwood, was ejected from the vehicle. Peters was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Barton County Coroner’s Office.
The intersection was closed for about an hour while the sheriff’s office investigated the scene. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by units from the Ellinwood Police Department and Ellinwood EMS. The Sheriff’s office believes excessive speed and alcohol were both contributing factors in the accident.