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.
Just before 11:30p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies to the east side of Frey Street just north of the U.S. 281 Bypass exit in Great Bend after observing a fire in a drainage ditch, according to the Barton County Sheriff's office. Deputies found a vehicle on fire and a utility pole broken at the base.
Investigators determined 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.