Two Drunk Wichita State Pitchers

[Ferd Berfel]

Seriously injured in a car wreck,

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is waiting on the results of a blood test before proceeding with the case involving a one-car accident that injured two Wichita State baseball players in November.

Zach Beringer had back surgery to repair and stabilize several vertebrae on Nov. 21. Tobin Mateychick suffered a concussion, scrapes and bruises. Both are out of the hospital.

Trooper Clayton Fredrickson, who investigated the accident, said Kay County Troop K is waiting on results from Beringer's blood test before forwarding a warrant request affidavit to the Kay County district attorney. He said the test may not be finished until mid-January.

"Once I get the blood results back, I will send everything," Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson said he observed alcohol at the scene, including odors and one open beer can in the debris. He said he talked to Beringer and Mateychick at the scene and in the hospital and considered both to be under the influence of alcohol.

"It was plainly obvious," he said.

The accident happened around 11 p.m. on Nov. 18 in Kay County in northern Oklahoma. Beringer, Mateychick and two teammates planned to hunt ducks near Braman, Okla.

According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, a 1997 Blue Toyota four-wheel drive driven by Beringer traveled at a high rate of speed on a gravel road. Beringer lost control and ran off the road. The car rolled three-and-a-half times before coming to rest on the drivers side. Beringer was ejected 27 feet. The accident threw Mateychick 43 feet, the report said. Neither wore a seat belt, according to the report.

Both players are pitchers. Beringer is a sophomore from Harrisburg, Mo. Mateychick is a sophomore from Enid, Okla. He is recovering from elbow surgery that cut short his 2011 season.

Wichita State officials declined to comment.