By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY and NATE KING
Salina Post
Two people from Texas were arrested Thursday afternoon in Harvey County after a high-speed chase that began in Saline County.
The incident began at 2:24 p.m. Thursday west of Salina on Interstate 70 when a Saline County deputy observed a white BMW 328 going 88 mph in a 75 mph zone, Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning. The deputy stopped the car near milepost 247 and made contact with the driver, identified as Braelyn Eskridge, 21, of Aubrey, Texas.
Melander said Eskridge told the deputy that he didn't have identification. A passenger in the car, identified as Starlett Smith, 42, of Arlington, Texas, did, however, provide a Texas identification card, he said.
During the discussion with Eskridge and Smith, the deputy smelled marijuana, Melander said.
The deputy returned to his vehicle to run a records check. When the deputy returned to the BMW, Eskridge allegedly said he had a warrant and drove off, Melander said. The BMW headed eastbound on I-70 before turning south onto Interstate 135 with deputies in pursuit.
Deputies north of the Mentor exit on I-135 placed stop sticks on the highway, which flattened the front driver-side tire, Melander said.
The BMW continued, exiting I-135 at the Mentor exit and traveling east at a high rate of speed before turning south on S. Ohio Street. During that time, Smith allegedly was tossing marijuana and drug paraphernalia from the BMW, Melander said.
The car continued at a high rate of speed across Kansas Highway 4 before turning west on E. Lapsley Road. The BMW then turned south on Old 81 Highway before re-entering I-135 at the Bridgeport exit.
Melander said Kansas Highway Patrol troopers put down stop sticks in McPherson County. KHP Technical Trooper Ben Gardner told Salina Post that Eskridge positioned the BMW in such a way as to attempt to strike a trooper deploying the stop sticks. The trooper was not injured.
The BMW continued into Harvey County, where it finally crashed south of Newton.
Eskridge was booked into the McPherson County Jail on the following requested charges, according to booking information.
●Aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer
●Aggravated assault with deadly weapon
●Flee or attempt to elude law enforcement by engaging in reckless drive
Smith, who was booked into the Saline County Jail, was arrested on the following requested charges, Melander said.
●Interference with law enforcement
●Destroying evidence
●Possession of marijuana
●Possession of drug paraphernalia
Melander said the investigation is ongoing and that Saline County may also pursue charges against Eskridge.
. . .
By SALINA POST
A high-speed chase through parts of Saline County Thursday afternoon ended in a crash south of Newton.
Saline County Sheriff's Lieutenant Mike Ascher said this afternoon that a vehicle was stopped for speeding west of Salina on Interstate 70 near milepost 247. He said the eastbound vehicle took off and eventually turned south onto Interstate 135.
According to Ascher, deputies deployed stop sticks near the W. Water Well Road exit on I-135, however the vehicle continued southbound before exiting at Smolan Road. The vehicle continued through rural Saline County, reaching speeds of 80 mph on dirt roads, Ascher said.
The vehicle got back on I-135 at the Bridgeport exit, continuing southbound. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that the chase ended when the vehicle crashed south of Newton.
Salina Post will have more information when it becomes available.