Kansas man jailed after ignoring road closed signs, crash

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on numerous charges after a Sunday crash.

A driver ignoring road closed signs resulted in an excavator on its side at a bridge construction site in southwest Saline County. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff’s Office

Just after 9a.m. Sunday, deputies responded to a bridge construction site on Muir Road near Falun Road in southwest Saline County, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

They found an excavator belonging to King Construction in the hole of the bridge construction site and an unoccupied 2005 Chevy Trailblazer with heavy front-end damage.

An investigation revealed the driver of the Trailblazer Francisco Merrell, 27, Salina, ignored road closure signs and struck the excavator.

Deputies were able to locate Merrell walking on a road near the scene. They booked him into Saline County Jail on charges that included false information or report concerning the accident, interference with a law enforcement officer, false report of a law enforcement officer for action, possession of marijuana, possession of a stimulant, and use/possession of drug paraphernalia/human body. Authorities did not release damage estimates for the vehicles.

Damage estimates for both the excavator and the Trailblazer were not available.