A wrecked Jeep sits following a rollover Saturday morning near the state line that killed an Ark City man. (Photo by Brett Coplen)
An Ark City man was killed in a rollover accident near the Kansas/Oklahoma line on U.S. 77 early Saturday morning.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the man killed was 28-year-old Andrew Banta.
Next of kin have been notified, authorities said.
At approximately 6:24 a.m. Saturday, a 2016 Jeep Wrangle driven by Banta was northbound on U.S. 77 and, for an unknown reason, departed the roadway to the left into the center median and struck a delineator — also known as a road pylon.
The Jeep drove in the center median, still northbound for approximately a tenth of a mile, then hit a yield sign and rolled approximately three times before it came to a rest approximately 256 feet from the state line, OHP reported.
Banta, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was ejected from the vehicle approximately 15 feet.
OHP reported odor of alcohol beverage and listed the cause of the collision as DUI. OHP also said no seatbelt was in use.
OHP was assisted by the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, Newkirk EMS and Ark City EMS.
