By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS — Citations still are pending against the driver in a high-speed crash May 1 in Ellis, according to Ellis Police Chief Taft Yates.

Although the accident occurred just outside city limits in the 700 block of West Sixth Street, Yates said the Ellis Police Department and EMS responded to the scene at approximately 9 p.m.

The driver of a 2003 Camaro, Augustus Kortmeir, 18, Ellis, lost control of the vehicle, which went into a ditch, became airborne, rolled and flipped, striking a brick barn twice before it finally came to a stop. Both Kortmeir and a juvenile female passenger, who were not wearing seat belts, were ejected.

“The girl was pinned under the front of the car,” Yates said. “A police officer and first responder actually lifted the car to get the girl out.”

She was treated and released within a few hours from Hays Medical Center.

Kortmeier was transported to Hays Medical Center with more serious injuries including broken bones and lacerations.

“All the first responders did a tremendous job,” Yates said. “It could easily have been a tragic situation.”