By NATE KING
Salina Post
A high-speed vehicle pursuit during the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 13 in rural Saline County ended in a violent confrontation and a man from Little River turning himself in on multiple requested charges including attempted second-degree murder, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.
Soldan said at around 1:15 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13 a Saline County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to stop a red Chevrolet Silverado clocked at nearly 80 mph in a 45-mph zone on Old 40 and State Street, west of Salina.
"He turned around and tried to stop him but the truck fled from him," Soldan said. "When it got to Crawford, it [suspect vehicle] turned West, he tried to follow him for about a mile and then there was so much dust he called off the chase."
Approximately 15 minutes later, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a man who said he was assaulted and ran over by the driver of the red pickup. According to Soldan, the victim had been a passenger in the vehicle during the attempted stop and asked the driver to be let out. When the driver refused, an altercation occurred.
“The guy told him he was going to kill him and then actually physically ran over him with the truck,” Soldan said.
The victim told deputies the suspect ran over him near the 2500 block of South Muir Road. He also reported having tire tracks on his back, managed to escape by hiding in a field while the driver briefly left the scene before returning to search for him.
The 51 year old victim did sustain injuries and was taken to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment, Soldan said.
Saline County Sheriff’s deputies identified the driver as 30-year-old Wyatt Stimatze of Little River. According to Soldan, Stimatze and the 51-year-old victim, of Ellinwood, were acquaintances through work.
Deputies searched the roadways in the immediate area for Stimatze, but were unable to locate him. On Thursday, Oct. 24, after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Stimatze turned himself in at the Saline County Jail.
Initially charged with aggravated battery, Stimatze now faces additional charges, including attempted second-degree murder, kidnapping, criminal threat, and reckless driving.
A judge set his bond at $250,000. Stimatze's next court appearance, a scheduling hearing, is set for Nov. 4.