3 hit-and-runs in 1 day in Hillsboro
Another 4 days later
Staff writer
A Hillsboro man awaits charges for hitting two vehicles on US-56 and not stopping — apparently while driving drugged.
Assistant Police Chief Randy Brazil said he investigated what turned out to be the second car allegedly hit Nov. 20 by Troy W. Seaman, 35, Hillsboro, on US-56 east of Orchard St.
Seaman fled the scene after allegedly rear-ending a 2017 Ford Fusion owned and driven by Faythe R. Korinek, 24, of Moundridge.
Further west on US-56 was another car pulled to the side with its emergency lights flashing, Brazil said. A trooper stopped and asked whether Brazil needed help with the accidents. The accident worked by the trooper turned out to be the first car struck before Korinek’s Fusion.
KHP’s accident report is no longer available to view online. Brazil said he thought the driver of the first car hit by Seaman was named Andrea Fish.
“I collected a Chevy emblem that was left at the scene,” Brazil said.
The emblem was useful in determining whether Seaman was the hit-and-run driver.
Korinek complained her lower back and neck hurt but declined medical treatment at the time.
Brazil phoned the next day to check on her.
“She was saying she was going to go to the hospital, and I haven’t checked since,” Brazil said.
A tipster called Brazil the day after the accident to say they thought Seaman had hit a car with his 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, which had damage to its hood and was missing its emblem.
The emblem Brazil took from the accident scene was a match, he said.
Brazil took Seaman to Hillsboro Community Hospital to be tested for drugs. Test results are pending.
“I plan on charging him with leaving the scene and possibly driving under the influence,” Brazil said.
A third hit-and-run accident happened the same day.
Angela K. Vann’s 2012 Honda Civic was hit at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 20 while it was legally parked two feet from the street in a driveway at her apartment. The car’s left front was damaged, but it remained drivable.
A fourth hit-and-run accident was reported at 1:24 p.m. Friday on Main St. north of Grand Ave.
Gary S. McEwen, 71, Herington, left the scene after he backed his 2010 Ford F-150 into a legally parked 2002 Toyota Camry across the street.
The force of the collision, witnessed by four employees of nearby businesses, pushed the Camry, owned by Rachel J.R. Jones, 70, of Hillsboro, out of its diagonal parking stall.
McEwen returned the following day to report the accident and was cited for improper backing, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, and driving on the wrong side of a street.
The Camry sustained an estimated $5,000 in damage to its right rear.
McEwen’s pickup sustained damage to its left rear. Both vehicles remained drivable.
Police recommended additional charges of running a stop sign and criminal damage to property. Those are pending with the county attorney.