By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Law enforcement authorities arrested a Salina man Sunday after his pickup left the interstate, struck a fence and started a grass fire northeast of Salina.

Just after 3 a.m., emergency personnel were sent just east of Niles Road on eastbound Interstate 70 for the report of a vehicle that had left the roadway, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan.

When they arrived, they found a 1998 Chevrolet S10 pickup up against the fence that runs along the interstate.. Both the pickup and nearby grass were burning.

The driver, identified as Aaron Powers, 24, of Salina, was eastbound in the pickup when he lost control of the vehicle and it traveled off the highway. Powers sustained only minor injuries and refused treatment.

An estimate $500 in damage was done to the fence and the grass, Soldan said. The fire burned approximately 50 acres of grassland before it was extinguished by rural fire department personnel. 

Powers was arrested on the following requested charges of Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and Not wearing a seatbelt.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644857056701.jpeg" alt="A grass fire caused by the crash backlights the scene of the single-vehicle wreck along Interstate 70 early Sunday morning. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>A grass fire caused by the crash backlights the scene of the single-vehicle wreck along Interstate 70 early Sunday morning. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostLaw enforcement authorities arrested a Salina man Sunday after his pickup left the interstate, struck a fence and started a grass fire northeast of Salina.Just after 3 a.m., emergency personnel were sent just east of Niles Road on eastbound Interstate 70 for the report of a vehicle that had left the roadway, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan.When they arrived, they found a 1998 Chevrolet S10 pickup up against the fence that runs along the interstate.. Both the pickup and nearby grass were burning.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644763005553.jpeg" alt="Aaron Powers-photo&nbsp;Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Aaron Powers-photo&nbsp;Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, identified as Aaron Powers, 24, of Salina, was eastbound in the pickup when he lost control of the vehicle and it traveled off the highway. Powers sustained only minor injuries and refused treatment.An estimate $500 in damage was done to the fence and the grass, Soldan said. The fire burned approximately 50 acres of grassland before it was extinguished by rural fire department personnel. Powers was arrested on the following requested charges of Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and Not wearing a seatbelt.

50 acres of grass burned after reported I-70 DUI crash