Fleeing driver blames fear of gun
Staff writer
A Herington man faces multiple charges after allegedly leaving the scene of an accident Thursday on US-56/77 near 330th Rd. north of Lincolnville.
Police alleged that a 1999 GMC pickup driven by Andrew Wiens, 34, was struck from behind by a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu sedan driven by David Bryan, 22, of Junction City.
Officer Michael Ottensmeier, who responded to the accident, said Wiens told him he fled to Herington because he was allegedly scared the people in the Malibu might have had a gun.
Upon returning to Herington, Wiens reportedly told a friend what had happened, and the friend advised him to return to the scene of the accident, Ottensmeier said.
However, Ottensmeier said Wiens never returned.
“When I got a hold of Wiens he fully admitted to causing the accident,” Ottensmeier said Tuesday. “Wiens told me he thought Bryan’s car was following him too close, so he did a brake check [tapping his brakes engaging the brake lights] several times. The fourth time caused the collision.”
Ottensmeier said there was no gun involved and reported that Wiens did not explain why he thought there was gun in the Malibu.
Wiens was arrested on charges of failure to report an injury accident and failure to render aid in an injury accident. Bryan was issued a citation for failure to wear a seat belt. His Malibu was totaled and towed from the scene.
Jay Cartavus, 20, also of Junction City, was a passenger in Bryan’s car. Cartavus was uninjured but Bryan sustained a head injury in the collision, Ottensmeier said.
“Bryan failed to wear his seat belt,” Ottensmeier said. “As a result, his forehead struck the windshield during the collision, and his head was pretty bloody.”