MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2021
AGENCY: SEDGWICK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
LOCATION: WICHITA/SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS
TELEPHONE: (316) 660-3900
CONTACT: LIEUTENANT BENJAMIN BLICK
Shortly after midnight on September 6, 2021, a Sedgwick County deputy observed suspicious activity between individuals at the filling station at Seneca and McCormick. The deputy requested assistance and another deputy responded to his location. As the responding deputy was nearing the filling station, the individuals involved in the suspicious activity left in a Chevy HHR. As it left, the Chevy HHR began traveling eastbound on McCormick without its headlights on. Both deputies pulled behind the Chevy HHR and attempted a traffic stop near Lincoln and McLean. The driver of the Chevy HHR fled in the vehicle and both deputies pursued.
Deputies pursued the Chevy HHR for approximately seven minutes and thirty seconds when the fleeing driver turned north on Topeka from Lincoln (Topeka is a one way street for southbound traffic between Lincoln and Kellogg. At Kellogg Avenue, Topeka becomes a two way street for approximately three blocks and then returns to a one way southbound street). Deputies continued their pursuit of the Chevy HHR northbound on Topeka until the first pursuing deputy collided with a westbound SUV driven by a 52-year-old female at the intersection of Douglas and Topeka.
Immediately after the collision the second deputy involved terminated the pursuit, requested EMS and rendered aid to the driver of the SUV. The driver of the SUV and the deputy sustained serious injuries and were transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment.
The Kansas Highway Patrol is conducting the collision investigation.
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