By Panhandle Post
A Kansas man has been charged with two felonies and two misdemeanors for allegedly causing the death of an Alliance woman.
The Box Butte County Attorney’s office has charged 36-year-old Ryan J. McElroy of Salina, Kansas with Motor Vehicle Homicide, Manslaughter, Third Offense Drunk Driving and Willful Reckless Driving.
The charges stem from an April 10 collision when McElroy hit a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Blythe Boness of Alliance.
Boness was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, which occurred east of Alliance on Highway 2.
A Nebraska State Patrol arrest affidavit states that McElroy was driving on a suspended Kansas driver’s license.
The affidavit also states that Emergency Medical Personnel detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from McElroy and also viewed him to have bloodshot eyes.
In McElroy’s vehicle, Troopers observed a half consumed 375 milliliter (12.6 oz) bottle of Fireball Whiskey.
McElroy told NSP that he had not been drinking, but stated he was looking at his phone when he veered into Boness’ lane.
McElroy was airlifted to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.
The arrest affidavit states that McElroy initially refused to submit to a blood test. The Nebraska State Patrol then obtained a warrant and a blood sample was drawn from McElroy to determine his blood alcohol concentration.
Box Butte County Court Judge Paul Wess has set McElroy’s bond at 10% of $100,000.
A warrant has been issued for McElroy’s arrest.
An initial court date has not yet been scheduled.