BARTON COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 11:30p.m. Thursday in Barton County.
A 1986 Ford Mustang convertible driven by Jason Bitter, 33, Great Bend, was northbound on U.S. 281 at a high rate of speed, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
The Mustang rear-ended a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Carlos Orozco age 22 of Leoti, Kansas, who had been stopped at the bridge construction site when the light turned green and began to proceed north.
The impact caused Pontiac to strike the construction site crash barriers and spin into the east ditch.
Both drivers were transported to the hospital in Great Bend and they were later flown to Wichita area hospitals in serious condition.
Barton County 911 had received a reckless driving complaint on the Mustang a few minutes prior to the reported collision.
The sheriff’s office believes alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident. "We will pursue criminal charges upon further investigation and toxicology reports, according to Bellendir.