Manhattan Mayor Wynn Butler was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of DUI after crashing his vehicle into a storefront.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. at the Candlewood Liquor Store, in the Candlewood Shopping Center. Butler confirmed overnight to KMAN that his brakes failed, but also admitted to having had four beers earlier in the evening. He has submitted his resignation from the city commission, effective immediately.
Interim City Manager Jason Hilgers provided the following statement to News Radio KMAN Thursday morning.
No injuries have been reported.
Store owner Mike Irvin says he and his wife Lisa were not present at the time of the crash and were called to the store by an employee.
Commissioner Peter Oppelt took to his Facebook page Thursday morning to discuss next steps for the commission.
Butler has been a member of the Manhattan City Commission since 2011. His current term expires in January 2026. Per city ordinance 2-20, Commissioner Susan Adamchak becomes mayor, as she had been the Mayor Pro Tem under Butler.
It’s unclear if the city commission will try to fill the vacancy or possible call a special election. Hilgers says he expects that information to be further discussed at the May 21 commission meeting.
RCPD has listed damages to be over $1,000.
