One of the drivers in Tuesday’s fatal accident near Grandview Plaza has been arrested on involuntary manslaughter charges, while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Geary County Sherriff’s department arrest report Wednesday morning indicates Steven Johnson was taken into custody shortly before three p.m. Tuesday on the charges, which also include inproper driving on a laned roadway.
The accident on I-70 near Grandview Plaza claimed the lives of two people and left another injured Tuesday morning shortly before 11 o’clock.
Steven Johnson, 42, of Houston, Tex., was driving a 2011 International truck eastbound when his vehicle entered the median and moved into the westbound lanes. Once in the other lane, Johnson’s truck struck a 2006 Ford driven by 26-year-old Jessica Thompson of Junction City. Both vehicles came to a rest in the north ditch.
Thompson was killed in the accident along with her five-year-old daughter. The other passenger, reported to be Thompson’s six-year-old son, was flown to Wesley Hospital in Wichita to be treated for injuries. Thompson and her children were all wearing seatbelts. Johnson, who is not listed as injured, was not wearing safety restraint.
The Kansas Department of Transportation said the crash caused the westbound lanes to be temporarily closed. The crash at approximately mile marker 300, or six miles east of Junction City.
