Wrong-way driver had 12-14 drinks before fatal Independence crash, police say
A Lenexa man allegedly told police he had a dozen or more alcoholic drinks before driving the wrong way on Interstate 70, leading to a crash that killed one person and injured several others, according to court documents.
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced Wednesday she charged Javier Garcia-Arellano with a felony count of driving while under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the death of a person.
The crash early Tuesday killed 64-year-old Ricky Monroe of Blue Springs.
Court records indicate that Garcia-Arellano allegedly told police he had 12 to 14 alcoholic beverages over six hours. Lab results allegedly showed four hours after the crash, he had a blood alcohol concentration of .17, more than double the legal limit of .08%.
It wasn’t his first drunk driving offense, according to court records.
In May 2023, the Kansas Highway Patrol arrested Garcia-Arellano for driving while intoxicated, according to court documents. He was charged with a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, a misdemeanor charge of not having a driver’s license and cited for speeding. He applied for and was granted diversion in the case.
A motion to revoke probation was filed in that case in May 2024 and the matter is still pending, said Melody Webb, the public information officer for the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.
Driving on the rim of wheel
According to court documents, Independence police responded to the fatal wreck at about 12:25 a.m. Tuesday along westbound I-70, west of Noland Road.
The crash investigation revealed that Garcia-Arellano was driving a Toyota Camry east in westbound lanes. The Camry collided head-on with a Kia Optima driven by Monroe. Tire and scrape marks show that the impact sent the Kia onto the shoulder of the highway, according to court records.
Scrape marks also show that the Toyota continued east into the path of a westbound Freightliner tractor-trailer. The semi and Toyota collided, redirecting the Toyota into the center lane of I-70 where a Honda Accord struck it, according to court documents.
Police on Tuesday said they did not know how fast the Garcia-Arellano was going at the time of the crash or how long he had been driving the wrong way. However, Kansas City Scout traffic cameras recorded the Toyota going the wrong way at I-70 and Blue Ridge Boulevard before the crash.
Court documents indicate that Toyota had a flat tire and that Garcia-Arellano was driving on the rim before the crash. Detectives located scrape marks made from the wheel and followed the scrape marks from the crash west to the Blue Ridge Cutoff. The scrape marks continued further west but were not followed.
The surviving drivers were injured, but the semi-driver refused medical treatment. The driver of the Honda and Garcia-Arellano were taken to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Before towing the Toyota, police found multiple open alcohol containers inside. At the hospital, Garcia-Arellano allegedly consented to have his blood drawn so it could be tested for alcohol and drugs.
A DWI officer, with the help of a Spanish interpreter, interviewed Garcia-Arellano, who allegedly said he did not remember being involved in a crash. He allegedly told the officer he had 12 to 14 drinks between 6 and midnight. He also allegedly admitted to being under the influence.
The bond for Garcia-Arellano, who allegedly still does not have a valid driver’s license, was set at $150,000. If convicted, Garcia-Arellano faces between 5 and 15 years in prison.
