By SALINA POST
Two separate vehicle wrecks on Friday afternoon in Saline County resulted in injuries and significant vehicle damage, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Office.
The first wreck happened at approximately 3:37 p.m. at the intersection of Smolan Road and Centennial Road. Saline County Sheriff Rroger Soldan said a Saline County deputy was parked in a field entrance along Smolan Road conducting radar operations when a passing vehicle stopped to report a potentially dangerous situation.
"He [deputy] was sitting in a field entrance when a car stopped beside him to tell him about a vehicle that they'd met, that the door looked like it was part part way open," Soldan said. "They thought somebody's trying to jump out."
The deputy had also observed the vehicle in question, and reassured them that it was likely a minor issue — a box inside the car was preventing the door from closing fully.
As the reporting vehicle attempted to pull away, it was rear-ended by another car. The stopped vehicle a white 2011 Ford Taurus driven by a 49-year-old woman from Lindsborg was struck from behind by a white 1989 Ford Mustang convertible driven by 19-year-old Smolan—the convertible sustained front-end damage.
"The driver was not injured, however, the other three passengers in the Taurus were complaining of some pain and were transported by EMS to Salina Regional," Soldan said.
The 19-year-old was not injured in the accident. The deputy's nearby vehicle was fortunately not damaged.
Just 22 minutes later, at 3:59 p.m., another vehicle wreck occurred at the intersection of K-140 and Halstead Road. A tan 1999 Chevy Blazer driven by 19-year-old Tucker Lewis of Salina failed to stop at the intersection and collided with the driver's side of a silver 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. Seventy-two-year-old of Marquette drove the Beetle.
Lewis was cited for failing to stop.
Kretzer suffered cuts on his head and arm and was taken to Salina Regional Health Center by EMS. Lewis was driving northbound on Halstead Road and was uninjured.