Manhattan mayor arrested after liquor store collision

Former mayor Winfried “Wynn” Butler. Photo courtesy of the City of Manhattan.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (KSNT) – Manhattan Mayor Winfried Butler was arrested Wednesday after driving his vehicle into a local liquor store.

According to the Riley County Police Department (RCPD), Riley County police officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of Kimball Ave. at 8:32 p.m. called where they discovered a man had driven a gray Infinity into Candlewood Liquor.

Butler was arrested for driving under the influence. The estimated total loss is over $1,000, according to RCPD.

City Communications Director Andrew Lawson said Mayor Winfried “Wynn” Butler resigned effective Thursday morning. The city of Manhattan has also been without a city manager for three weeks for other reasons, Lawson said.

Jason Hilgers was named interim city manager effective April 19, 2024, and Commissioner Susan Adamchak became the new mayor following Butler’s resignation, Lawson said.

KSNT News has reached out to the City of Manhattan for comment. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.