BALDWIN CITY — A 23-year-old Ottawa man was flown by helicopter to the Kansas University Medical Center Tuesday afternoon as a result of a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 59 just north of the Douglas County line. The Kansas Highway Patrol said Brandon Lee Ellsmore had disabling injuries. He wasn’t wearing a safety restraint, troopers said. A semi-truck driven by Brian Thornton, 64, Lawrence, turned from a side road onto U.S. 59 heading north, troopers said. A pickup truck going north on U.S. 59 struck Thornton’s struck in the rear. The Highway Patrol listed Darin Curtiss, 24, Lawrence, as the driver but troopers said that wasn’t immediately confirmed. Curtiss refused an ambulance and fled the scene. Troopers said he wasn’t wearing a safety restaint. Thornton wasn’t injured. Ellsmore’s condition wasn’t immediately available.
Wednesday, April 7, 7:30 a.m.
