BARTON COUNTY — Barton County authorities are investigating two separate crashes over the weekend, including a fatal accident in Great Bend and a multi-vehicle injury crash west of Ellinwood.
According to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 11:26 p.m. Saturday to the east side of Frey Street just north of the U.S. 281 Bypass exit after spotting a fire in a drainage ditch. Deputies found a vehicle on fire and a utility pole broken at the base.
Investigators say a 2016 Buick Lucerne driven by Toby Elliott was traveling north on Frey Street after exiting the bypass when the driver failed to negotiate a curve, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway, strike the utility pole and catch fire in the ditch. Elliott was pronounced dead at the scene. The Great Bend Police Department and Great Bend Fire Department assisted at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
On Sunday at approximately 6:25 p.m., deputies responded to U.S. 56 Highway near mile marker 220 for a report of a multi-vehicle injury accident during blowing dust conditions.
Investigators determined there were two separate crashes caused by reduced visibility. In the first crash, a 2021 Jeep Compass driven by Khloe Johns stopped on the highway because of low visibility. A 2022 Chrysler Voyager driven by Russell Williams II struck the rear of the Jeep, sending it into the south ditch. Three people were transported to Ellinwood District Hospital.
In the second crash, deputies say a 2022 Chevy Silverado driven by Thilai Huy slowed because of blowing dust when it was struck from behind by a 2011 Ford Edge driven by Victor Sanchez. No injuries were reported in that crash.