EFFINGHAM, KS (KSNT) – One Kansas lawmaker explains what happened after he caused a wreck that left three people injured. On Monday, June 10, two teen brothers were driving home on Highway 73, west of Atchison after purchasing a new truck in Atchison. Around 9:05 p.m., Representative John Eplee, a republican from Atchison, swerved into […]
EFFINGHAM, KS (KSNT) – One Kansas lawmaker explains what happened after he caused a wreck that left three people injured.
On Monday, June 10, two teen brothers were driving home on Highway 73, west of Atchison after purchasing a new truck in Atchison. Around 9:05 p.m., Representative John Eplee, a republican from Atchison, swerved into oncoming traffic and hit the pickup head-on, then collided with the car the older brother was driving.
Eplee told 27 News he still isn’t sure what happened.
“I must have had a period of where I wasn’t mentally present. Either, I fell asleep at the wheel or I had a blackout spell,” Eplee said. “And, I went left of center and I hit a vehicle. And, then the other vehicle was also struck behind that. And they were ironically, I believe, they’re two brothers.”
Steven Claxton, the father of the victims, doesn’t think a ticket was enough.
“Could have been a near fatality accident,” Claxton said. “And, left of center. You know, if you go left to center, that generally means there’s something going on.”
The two brothers and lawmaker only suffered minor injuries, but all three vehicles were totaled. Eplee was ticketed for crossing the center line.
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