JACKSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Jackson County continue to investigate a weekend accident that sent a Kansas man to a hospital and another to jail.
Just after 10:30 p.m. on Friday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle west of Circleville on 254th Road going in and out of a ditch about 200 yards east of J. Road, according to a media release.
Deputies located the vehicle and found a passenger identified as Brandon Michael Vander Ross, 22, Cummings, had sustained disabling injuries and was initially transported by Jackson County EMS to the Holton Community Hospital and subsequently transported to a Topeka hospital.
Deputies determined the vehicle a 2013 Ford Edge driven by Dru Matthew Hinson, 20, Atchison, had been eastbound on 254th Road in Circleville and left the roadway at the intersection of Kansas 79 Hwy.
The vehicle became airborne, crashed through an iron fence and into the side of a house at 25386 Kansas 79 Hwy.
Hinson was able to drive the car from the scene damaging property of Rural Water District #3. The vehicle continued westbound where it ran off the road way again near J. Road and 254th Road.
Hinson could be seen fleeing into a field west of Circleville and into a brushy wooded area along Elk Creek. Due to the cold temperatures and not knowing the extent of Hinson’s injuries a manhunt ensued.
A Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter assisted with the search in and around Circleville. A Sheriff’s Office Alert was issued to residents to lock their doors and to notify the Sheriff’s Office if they observed the subject.
Just after 3a.m., on Saturday Hinson was located hiding in a residence at 101 Mill Street in Circleville near Elk Creek. Hinson did not report being injured in the accident and was placed under arrest by Jackson County Deputies.
Hinson is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail on charges of driving under the influence, transporting an open container, minor in possession of alcohol, leaving the scene of an injury accident and aggravated battery.