PHOTOS: Lenexa man injured when car clips Shawnee home, hits tree

Posted: April 7, 2014 - 1:37am
Updated: April 7, 2014 - 12:50pm

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Additional scene photos below report

A 32-year-old Lenexa man was injured Monday morning when he lost control of his vehicle along Blackfish Parkway and brushed against a house before colliding head-on with a tree, authorities said.

The accident occurred around 12:40 a.m. as Matthew Thomas Leeper was traveling west on Blackfish Parkway near Pflumm Road. Leeper's Lexus sedan jumped a curb and drove through a yard on the south side of Blackfish, narrowly missing a wooden privacy fence.

Tire marks in the grass show the car then crossed both lanes of Blackfish to the north side grass, where it ricocheted off of a ground level electrical transformer, plowed through two sides of a wooden privacy fence, scraped along the side of a home's foundation and struck a tree.

Officers at the scene said Leeper was transported to an area hospital with a serious head injury.

No residents were injured and the home that the car struck did not sustain any structural damage.

Shawnee firefighters stood by with the damaged ground transformer until KCP&L could arrive to survey the damage. Several large wires could be seen sticking out of the ground.

A firefighter at the scene said this is the third single car accident that he can remember responding to on the same stretch of Blackfish Parkway. He said the home on the northeast corner of Summit Street and Blackfish Parkway has been struck at least once and another home near the corner of Blackfish Parkway and Pflumm Road was struck in December 2011.

The home involved in the 2011 accident is the same address where the vehicle involved in Monday's accident first left the roadway, narrowly missing the privacy fence. A report, with photos, on the 2011 accident can be found here.

In 2012, a vehicle crashed through a privacy fence of a home at Blackfish Parkway and Park Street. The residents of another home on Blackfish Parkway have replaced their mailbox at least twice due to vehicles leaving the road and crashing into it.

Shawnee Police photographing the vehicle and tree
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Fence pieces and the damage to the side of the home
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First section of fence the car crashed through
Car can be seen in the background of this photo
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Shawnee firefighters and police officers standing near the damaged ground transformer
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The second section of fence the car crashed through, the home and the car that were involved
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The car and tree involved as the tow truck was loading
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The car as the tow truck was loading it
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Related report:

Operation 100 News report on ShawneeDispatch.com

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Friday night sobriety checkpoint

Posted: April 19, 2013 - 2:37pm

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint tonight into early tomorrow morning.

In as statement released Friday morning, Master Deputy Tom Erickson says that a sobriety checkpoint will be held in Johnson County Friday, April 19th into Saturday, April 20th. Drivers suspected of being intoxicated will be given brief sobriety tests and those drivers who are confirmed to be impaired will be arrested.

Efforts will be made to not severely interrupt the flow of traffic. The Sheriff's Office says that citizen's patience and cooperation will assist with this important safety effort.

The exact location of the checkpoint is not released and will not be published by Operation 100 News until after it has concluded.

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Checkpoints & Saturation Patrols planned for this weekend

Posted: May 1, 2012 - 11:33am
Updated: May 4, 2012 - 12:03pm

The Olathe Police Department's Traffic Unit has announced they will be conducting a driver's license check lane and saturation patrol as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce alcohol related crashes and remove intoxicated drivers from the roadways. The effort will be held on the evening of Saturday, May 5th.

Officers will set up the check lane in an effort to check motorists for valid driver's licenses, while also looking for signs of impairment, seat belt use.

Police say that anyone found to be driving without a valid driver's license will be accordingly charged and intoxicated motorists will be arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Anyone who observes erratic or dangerous driving in Olathe is always encouraged to contact the Olathe Police Department at 913-782-0720 or 911 for emergencies.

Funding for this even is provided through a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, designed to reduce alcohol related crashes in the state of Kansas.

All information provided by the Olathe Police Department's Traffic Unit.

-The Johnson County Sheriff's Office says they will also be conducting a checkpoint Friday night into early Saturday morning in the De Soto area.

-Overland Park Police will be conducting a Saturation Patrol, Saturday night into early Sunday morning.

-Kansas City, Missouri Police say they will be conducting a checkpoint sometime over the weekend.

Attention News Media LINK

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Sunflower Showdown Saturation Patrol

Posted: October 21, 2011 - 10:27am

The Kansas Highway Patrol has announced that they will be conducting saturation patrol on Saturday, October 22.

Troopers are anticipating the added traffic on the Turnpike of Jayhawk and Wildcat fans along with regular travelers passing through the area. Extra Troopers will be in the area assisting with traffic control and then a post-game saturation patrol.

Lieutenant Scott Harrington says that drivers who are coming to Lawrence using westbound Interstate 70 use the West Lawrence exit (exit 202) due to ongoing construction of a bridge off the East Lawrence exit (exit 204).

After the game has ended, the Highway Patrol will be conducting a RAVE saturation patrol. RAVE is short for Roving Aggressive Violation Enforcement and is an effort to help reduce the number of impaired drivers on the roads and encourage safe driving practices. The Highway Patrol conducts a RAVE saturation patrol when troopers converge on a specific area with the primary focus on the detection of impaired drivers. This Saturday's RAVE deployment will be funded by an Impaired Driving Deterrence Program (IDDP) grant, courtesy of the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The Kansas Highway Patrol advises travelers to be prepared for delays, remain patient and always designate a sober driver.

Attention News Media LINK

KHP: Game Day Traffic Should Leave Early & Prepare for Delays

Press Release from the Kansas Highway Patrol

Construction zones add extra time to/from Jayhawk/Wildcat sporting events.

This weekend marks not only the Labor Day holiday weekend, but also the beginning of the college football season. With both Kansas State University and the University of Kansas playing at home this weekend, Kansas roads will see many people traveling to and from these games, as well as other destinations. There are some major road projects that gameday traffic should be aware of.

KU Jayhawk fans can expect traffic to be slow or delayed due to construction east of town. There is construction on the Kansas Turnpike I-70, in the area of mile marker 204. Both eastbound and westbound lanes have construction. To monitor the Kansas Turnpike's updates on traffic, you can go to their Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/KansasTurnpike.

K-State Wildcat fans traveling from the west should expect delays as they come into town on K-18, due to construction between Ogden and Manhattan. Watch for the Kansas Department of Transportation's message boards to notify you of delays or road closures, should there be an accident. You can also tune into the K-State Sports Radio Network, 101.5 FM or 1350 AM.
Regardless of whether you cheer on the Jayhawks, Wildcats, or another team this weekend, the Kansas Highway Patrol would like to offer these tips to help you enjoy the football season, and the holiday weekend safely.

• Leave early. Traffic will be heavy a few hours prior to kickoff.
• Expect delays in the areas mentioned above during both pre- and post-game traffic.
• Be patient and courteous in pre- and post-game traffic.
• Obey all traffic control signs in the construction zone. Watch for decreased speed limits and lane closure signs. Remember, citation amounts double in workzones.
• Add additional following distance within the construction zone and heavy traffic areas.
• Utilize a designated driver. Extra troopers are out as part of the Kansas Department of Transportation's Special Traffic Enforcement Program, and they will be watching for impaired drivers.

Lawrence Police plan DUI check lane Friday, August 26th

Lawrence Police have announced that they will be conducting a DUI check lane within in the city on Friday evening.

The Lawrence Police Department along with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office both taking part in the special enforcement effort which began August 19th and continues until Labor Day, September 5th. Law Enforcement Officers are on the lookout for anyone driving impaired, speeding and seat belt/child restraint violations.

The Kansas Department of Transportation is providing funding for overtime to allow agencies to increase patrols during the special effort.

All information provided by the Lawrence Police Department

Related Stories:
Shawnee Police announce DUI Crackdown (August 18 - September 5)
KCMO Police cracking down on Impaired Drivers (August 18 - September 5)

Kansas Highway Patrol joins other Law Enforcement Agencies to reduce Impaired Driving

Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. campaign will bring more troopers to the road

Beginning last week, the Kansas Highway Patrol and many other law enforcement agencies began participation in the Kansas Department of Transportation's (KDOT) Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), which runs from August 18 through Labor Day, September 5. Troopers will be enforcing Kansas' impaired driving, occupant protection, and other laws.


The KHP is among more than 130 law enforcement agencies across the state who will participate in the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. STEP campaign. In an effort to drastically reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries that occur when alcohol is mixed with driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle, troopers across the state will be participating in saturation patrols and check lanes.


It is illegal in Kansas to drive or attempt to operate a motor vehicle with a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. Penalties for impaired driving include loss of driving privileges, fines, court costs, and possible jail time. The more severe consequences of drinking and driving include injuring or killing yourself, an occupant of your vehicle, or the occupants of another vehicle.
The Patrol suggests taking the following precautions:

• If you plan to drive, do not drink.
• If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver and give that person your keys.
• Never ride with a driver who has been drinking.
• Take a list of phone numbers with you for cabs or friends to call for a sober ride home.
• If possible, plan to spend the night at the event.
• If you are throwing a party, provide non-alcoholic alternatives, and never let guests drive drunk.
• Report impaired drivers to your local law enforcement agency.
• Always buckle up and properly secure children in their safety seats.

Information provided in a News Release by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

KCMO Police cracking down on impaired drivers Aug. 19-Sept. 5

PRESS RELEASE:

The sobering fact is that impaired driving contributes to nearly 30 percent of all Missouri traffic fatalities. In 2010, 234 people were killed and 957 seriously injured in crashes involving an impaired driver. In KC, 63 percent of all fatal accidents involved an impaired driver. That’s why the Kansas City Missouri Police Department will join other Missouri law enforcement agencies to crack down on drunk driving Aug. 19-Sept. 5, 2011.

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department will participate in statewide sobriety checkpoints and DWI saturation patrols enforcing Missouri’s DWI laws and keeping impaired drivers off the road.

Consequences of drunk driving include jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

“Driving drunk is simply not worth all the consequences,” Sgt. Ron Podraza said. “Our message is simple and unwavering: You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”


For more information, please visit http://www.savemolives.com/


Related Stories:
Sobriety Check Lane in Olathe, August 19th 

Shawnee Police announce DUI Crackdown (August 18 - September 5)

Sobriety Check Lane in Olathe, August 19th

The Olathe Police Department has announced that they will be conducting a Sobriety Check lane on Friday, August 19th beginning at 11:30 p.m. and running until approximately 2:30 a.m. The Johnson County Sheriff's Department along with several other local Law Enforcement agencies will be assisting in the effort.

Police say that during the course of the check lane, all motorists at the designated area will be stopped and contacted in an effort to look for signs of intoxication. Those drivers who are in violation of the intoxicating liquor laws will be arrested. Motorists will also be checked for valid drivers licenses.

The Olathe Police Department, along with surrounding agencies, will continue to operate check lanes in an effort to educate the public and remove intoxicated drivers from the roadways.

The location for upcoming check lanes is never released ahead of time by Police.

All information provided by the Olathe Police Department.

Related Story: Shawnee Police announce DUI Crackdown (August 18 - September 5)

Shawnee Police announce DUI Crackdown

The Shawnee Police Department is warning drivers of an upcoming DUI Crackdown for August 18th through Labor Day, September 5th. There will be additional enforcement of Kansas drunk driving and other traffic laws as 150 local agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol all participate in the crackdown. The effort is aimed at educating about impaired driving and removing impaired drivers from Kansas roadways.


Known as "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." the crackdown is underwritten by a grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.


Each day, 61 people are injured and 3 people are killed on Kansas roads in alcohol-related crashes. According to KDOT, if you are involved in an alcohol-related-crash, in any capacity, you are two and one half times more likely to be injured and four and one half times more likely to be seriously injured or killed than you are involved in a crash where alcohol is not determined to be a factor. The ratio of death to injury in alcohol-related crashes is nearly four times higher than the death to injury ratio for non-alcohol related crashes.


According to Sergeant Jim Baker, the enforcement effort should remind drivers of several things:


If you're going to drink when away from home do it responsibly by planning ahead and lining someone up who is not going to be drinking to get you home. Don't wait until it's time to go home to ask. Chances are, if you do that, you will wind up with a driver who thinks he's sober enough to be driving, but may not be.


Picture families you know, and then consider how it would be to wake up every day to the memory of your decision to drive after drinking – just innocently having fun – which brought injury or death to one of them.

There are any number of traffic infractions and mechanical deficiencies we can use to pull you over even if you have not crashed or are not driving erratically. If we do and we detect a hint of alcohol you will be tested. If you fail the test you’re looking at a fine of $750 - $2,500, up to one year in jail, the suspension or even permanent loss of your driver’s license, and the installation of an ignition interlock device in your car. Imagine not being able to start your car without blowing into the interlock’s alcohol sensor several times during an afternoon’s errands. Don’t take the chance.

If you see suspicious driving behaviors, take note of location and direction, as well as the vehicle description, and call 911.

You can expect this department to enforce impaired driving laws all year-round.

Finally, always remember that everyone’s best protection against a drunk driver (even themselves) is to always wear their seat belt and properly restrain their children – every trip, every time. It saves lives and it’s the law.


All information provided by the Shawnee Police Department.

Overland Park Saturation Patrol, July 29th

Police in Overland Park have announced that they will be conducting a Saturation Patrol throughout the city on Friday night. The effort is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. Friday evening and scheduled to end around 3 a.m. early Saturday morning.

Between those hours the Overland Park Police Department will have extra officers patrolling frequently traveled routes and looking for drivers who appear to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol or in violation of other traffic laws.

Upcoming DUI Checkpoint in OP and Johnson County wide Saturation Patrols

The Overland Park Police Department has made it known that they will be conducting a DUI checkpoint tonight. The checkpoint will involve Officers from throughout Johnson County, including the Johnson County Sheriff's Department.

The location and approximate times for the operation are never disclosed ahead of time. Police say the enforcement effort is aimed at reducing alcohol related crashes and to discourage driving while intoxicated.

Numerous agencies throughout Johnson County have also announced that they will be conducting Saturation Patrols Friday and Saturday during the evening through early morning hours.

As always, never drink and drive.

Olathe Police to conduct a DUI Check Lane

The Olathe Police Department has announced that they will be conducting a DUI Check Lane on Friday, June 17 from 10:00 p.m. until 2:30 a.m.

Police say the check lane is part of their regular efforts to remove intoxicated drivers from the roadway. The effort will be funded partially by grants made available by the Kansas Department of Transportation, using Federal Highway dollars.

The check lane will be made possible by mutual aide efforts between local Johnson County Municipal agencies, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol. Local Law Enforcement agencies plan to conduct annual check lanes as part of the Impaired Driving Deterrence Program, administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation.