A fatal wrong-way collision on Interstate 35 has led to the arrest of a New Jersey man, who now faces multiple charges, including two counts of murder, in Johnson County, Kansas.
Authorities from the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office have charged 27-year-old Matthew Karabas with first and second-degree murder, as well as DUI and fleeing a police officer.
The tragic incident occurred just before 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, on northbound I-35 near Edgerton, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP).
Reportedly, Karabas was driving southbound in the northbound lanes of I-35 when his vehicle collided head-on with a semi-truck, as confirmed by KHP.
Tragically, a passenger in Karabas’ vehicle, identified as 22-year-old Eric Diaz from Melbourne, Florida, was pronounced dead at the crash site.
Karabas sustained suspected serious injuries and was transported to Overland Park Regional Hospital. It was noted by KHP that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.
Fortunately, the driver of the semi-truck involved in the crash escaped unharmed.