4 19-year-olds charged with possession of alcohol by a minor, driver attempts to run following crash

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Left to right: Kaleah Grzyb, Kason Adkins and Morgan Knierim (Photos courtesy of Baxter County Sheriff’s Office)

Four 19-year-olds involved in a one-vehicle crash in Baxter County last month were charged with purchase or possession of alcohol by a minor, and the driver is facing additional charges after allegedly running from the scene. Kason Adkins and Morgan Knierim were transported to the Baxter County Detention Center, and Victoria Glenn and Kaleah Grzyb were transported to Baxter Health for treatment of their injuries.

According to the incident report from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to Tracy Ferry Road for a report of an accident with injuries. The deputy observed an unoccupied truck in the road with debris surrounding it. A witness from a nearby residence approached the deputy and showed where the truck hit and destroyed his mailbox. He said two young boys and two young girls went to his neighbor’s residence.

The deputy walked to the next residence, and another male exited and said the occupants of the truck were at his home. When the deputy looked toward the residence, a male, later identified as Adkins, allegedly ran away with a license plate in his hand. The deputy gave chase, and when Adkins was located, he was no longer holding the plate. The deputy reportedly escorted Adkins where he hid the plate and a fraudulent driver’s license that he admitted was his.

The deputy stated in his report he could smell alcohol coming from Adkins, and his eyes appeared glossy. Adkins later admitted to driving the truck and drinking alcohol.

The deputy returned to the residence where ambulance crews were preparing to transport the female occupants, identified as Glenn and Grzyb, to the hospital. The other male occupant, identified as Knierim, reportedly said on multiple occasions he wasn’t in the vehicle when it crashed, but he later admitted he was, and he had been drinking. Knierim had a cut along his nose and blood on his pants, but he stated he didn’t need medical attention.

Adkins’ additional charges include driving under the influence (underage), possession of a counterfeit driver’s license, reckless driving, fleeing on foot, tampering with physical evidence, open alcohol container in a vehicle and underage refusal to submit. He was released on a bond of $4,090, and Knierim is currently free on a bond of $220. After being released from the hospital, Grzyb was transported to the detention center May 20 and remains incarcerated on a probation violation.

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