By SALINA POST
A high-speed chase through Salina early Sunday morning ended in a crash and the arrest of a 30-year-old driver after he fled from Salina Police Department officers.
According to Salina Police Capt. Mike Miller, an officer attempted to pull over a red 2010 Chevy Equinox around 2:25 a.m. on March 16 in the 300 block of South Phillips Avenue for a turn signal violation. Instead of stopping, the driver fled, leading police on a pursuit through multiple streets, including Hancock, Republic, South Ohio, Martin Avenue, and Sunrise Drive.
The chase continued until the 400 block of South Ninth Street, where the driver attempted to turn onto Lincoln Avenue at a high speed where the driver lost control causing the vehicle to crash into a utility pole.
Officers reported that the driver fled on foot and was captured within a block of the crash. The two passengers—a 24-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man—remained in the vehicle and were taken into custody at gunpoint.
"We're going to take everybody out of the car at gunpoint [following a high-speed pursuit] because we don't know if they're armed or not until we get them out and get them in our custody," Miller said.
Miller said the two passengers were not charged.
The driver, identified as Codi Fairbanks, 30, of Salina, was arrested. faces multiple charges, including:
⦁ Felony fleeing and eluding
⦁ Felony interference with law enforcement
⦁ Reckless driving. Driving while revoked
⦁ Habitual traffic violator
⦁ 13 counts of failing to yield at stop signs
⦁ Five stoplight violations
Miller said Fairbanks ran from police because he had an active felony probation violation. The pursuit lasted about five minutes, reaching estimated speeds of 70 to 80 mph before the crash. No injuries were reported.