BEATRICE – Kansas Highway Patrol officers arrested a motorist involved in a fatal two-vehicle collision in Clay County, last Thursday.

An eastbound 1998 Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by 27-year-old Jacob Zelinski of Beloit was traveling U.S. Highway 24 a mile east of Clay Center when it crossed the westbound lane. 

The truck entered the north ditch and struck a 2001 Buick Park Avenue that was northbound on a driveway.  The driver of that car, 82-year-old Dale Hammond, of Clay Center, was killed in the collision.

The K-H-P says the driver of the pickup fled the scene on foot but was located a short time later and placed under arrest.  The pickup driver had a minor injury in the 6:52 a.m., collision.