SALINE COUNTY —A registered Kansas offender is dead following a high-speed pursuit on Friday on Interstate 70.
Just after 12:30p.m. Friday, sheriff deputies tried to stop a burgundy 1997 Buick LeSabre on North Ohio Street driven by Tawan Tatro, 41, of Dodge City, according to a statement from the Saline County Sheriff's office.
Tatro had warrants out of Dodge City and Salina. When deputies attempted to pull him over he fled north down Ohio to Interstate 70, continued east to Niles Road, came back down Niles Road to Old 40 Highway, and then into Solomon.
Deputies attempted to use spike strips to slow his vehicle but were unsuccessful. The pursuit continued through Solomon and east on Interstate 70.
The Kansas Highway Patrol was able to successfully perform a PIT maneuver which caused the vehicle to spinout and come to a stop. Deputies took the driver into custody and placed him in the back of a patrol car in Dickinson County.
Troopers found what the believe to be marijuana, methamphetamine, and other drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
Deputies noticed a change in Tatro’s breathing and began to perform CPR roadside. They were unsuccessful, and Tatro died at the scene.
As per protocol, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the in-custody death.
Tatro was listed as a registered Kansas offender following a conviction in 2008 for sale of a controlled substance, according to the Kansas Offender Registry. He has other convictions for interference with law enforcement, criminal possession of firearm, drug possession and violations of offender registration act, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.