Alcohol is suspected as the reason for a one-vehicle accident north of Chico on Texas 101 Thursday night that resulted in serious injuries for the driver.
Christopher Ryan Kelley, 24, of Sunset was flown to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth with severe injuries to his head and right leg. He is in stable condition in the intensive care unit.
Kelley was the only person in the vehicle at the time of the accident.
A witness spotted Kelley's SUV traveling northbound at a high-rate of speed just before he lost control of the vehicle near County Road 1667, flipping several times and landing in a field on the southbound side of the highway.
"The witness said it was probably floored," said DPS Cpl. Adolfo Patterson of Kelley's speed. "As he came to this curve in the road at this intersection, he lost control, went left across the road, then drove completely off the road and flipped several times."
Patterson said several containers of alcohol were found at the scene.
"I think he had been drinking," Patterson said. "I could smell it on him and I could smell it in his vehicle."
Patterson said Kelley was responsive at the scene, "but not to where he could talk. He said his name was Chris, but that's all they could get out of him."
"I'll subpoena his medical records and issue an arrest warrant for driving while intoxicated when he recovers from his injuries," Patterson said.
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