Formal charges are currently pending against a Wichita man after an alleged vehicle pursuit that ended near Strong City on Wednesday.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says 20-year-old Logan Benjamin-Lee Gentry was eastbound on US Highway 50 and was fleeing from both troopers and Chase County deputies when he wrecked his pickup shortly before 12:10 pm.
Following the incident, the Chase County Jail had listed Gentry as arrested on suspicion of attempted flee and elude with at least five moving violations, interference with law enforcement, attempted driving under the influence, speeding, wrong-way driving and attempted operation of a vehicle without insurance. Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Ben Gardner, meanwhile, says troopers have worked up added potential charges of aggravated battery on a passenger, felony flee and elude, leaving the scene of a crash, expired registration, driving left of center, passing on a shoulder, driving while suspended, reckless driving, operating a stolen vehicle and driving under the influence.
Gardner says the chase began on US Highway 50 near Kansas Highway 150 after an alleged speeding infraction. Near the end of the chase, troopers say Gentry tried to use the westbound entrance to Kansas Highway 177 for the purpose of going south. Instead, Gentry left the highway and his pickup rolled several times. He allegedly fled on foot before being arrested.
Gentry’s passenger, 29-year-old Tiffany Ortiz of Wichita, was trapped in the pickup and had to be extricated. She was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita with suspected serious injuries. Details about her condition have not been released.
6:15 am Thursday: Wichita man arrested, Wichita woman hospitalized after Highway Patrol-led pursuit ends near Strong City
Two Wichita residents were hurt, one seriously, after an alleged vehicle pursuit that ended near Strong City on Wednesday.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says the driver of a pickup, 20-year-old Logan Benjamin-Lee Gentry, was eastbound on US Highway 50 and was fleeing law enforcement when Gentry tried to use the westbound entrance to Kansas Highway 177 for the purpose of going south. Instead, Gentry left the highway and his pickup rolled several times.
Chase County Sheriff Jacob Welsh says the man fled on foot and was apprehended by deputies. A passenger, 29-year-old Tiffany Ortiz, had to be extricated by Chase County EMS and Chase County Fire.
Troopers say Gentry was taken to Newman Regional Health. Welsh says he was treated, released and arrested. The Chase County Jail has Gentry booked on suspicion of attempted flee and elude with at least five moving violations, interference with law enforcement, attempted driving under the influence, speeding, wrong-way driving and attempted operation of a vehicle without insurance. Formal charges are pending.
Ortiz, meanwhile, was airlifted to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Details about her condition have not been released.
Both Gentry and Ortiz were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
The Kansas Highway Patrol has not said where the alleged chase began or why.
6 pm Wednesday: Two hospitalized, at least one arrested, following alleged vehicle and foot pursuit in Chase County
Two individuals were hospitalized, and at least one was arrested, following a vehicle crash that allegedly stemmed from a vehicle and foot pursuit in Chase County Wednesday afternoon.
According to Chase County Sheriff Jacob Welsh, Chase County Deputies assisted the Kansas Highway Patrol with a reported vehicle pursuit around 12:10 pm on US Highway 50 near mile marker 320. During the pursuit, the suspect crashed and rolled after taking the US 50 on-ramp off Kansas Highway 177 in the wrong direction.
The driver of the vehicle, an unnamed male, reportedly exited the vehicle, fled on foot before being apprehended by Chase County Deputies. Meanwhile, a female passenger was trapped inside of the vehicle and had to be extricated by Chase County EMS and Chase County Fire.
The passenger was taken to an undisclosed hospital in Wichita via Lifeteam while the driver was taken to Newman Regional Health where he was treated and later released. Further details including the names of those involved are currently pending through the Kansas Highway Patrol.
