KMAN news has just received word of the death of a 29 year old Manhattan man in a Sunday accident on highway 77, about 10 miles north of El Dorado.
James Ponce died in the crash, which was discovered by a passer-by shortly before 4:30 Sunday morning. Butler County Sheriff Kelly Herzet tells KMAN Ponce’s vehicle was on its top, and apparently had rolled several times. Ponce, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle.
Sheriff Herzet adds in addition to his deputies, EMS and fire crews responded and attempted CPR on Ponce but were unsuccessful. Ponce was pronounced dead at the scene.
While an investigation needs to be completed, the Sheriff says there was evidence of alcohol at the scene and Ponce had reportedly been to a wedding in Wichita.
Ponce attended schools in Manhattan, and was an MHS graduate in 2001. He also attended Kansas State University and the Manhattan Area Technical College in wind energy technology. Ponce was the kitchen manager at Carlos O’Kelly’s in Manhattan.
The Irvin Parkview Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
