One person was taken from the scene of a two-vehicle injury crash that developed as a result of a vehicle pursuit south of Emporia Tuesday morning.
According to Lyon County Undersheriff John Koelsch, the pursuit began after 11 am when an Emporia Police Officer allegedly initiated a traffic stop in the Emporia City limits. The suspect vehicle reportedly fled from the scene of the stop upon the officer making initial contact and proceeded out of Emporia on South Highway 99.
Lyon County Sheriff’s Deputies joined the pursuit in the city limits and later took over as EPD called of their pursuit when exited town. The suspect vehicle then reportedly sideswiped a northbound vehicle with three passengers inside head-on in the 1300 block of South Highway 99.
The driver of the suspect vehicle was airlifted from the scene of the incident with undisclosed injuries. Emporia Fire and EMS says it examined the three passengers in the northbound car and none required medical transport.
Koelsch says the situation is being referred to as an incident rather than an accident to illustrate pending criminal charges for the events during the pursuit. Formal charges are pending; however, Koelsch says they will likely include aggravated assault with a vehicle.
The name of the suspect, the individuals in the northbound vehicle, an update on the suspect’s condition and other details are currently pending an investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol CHART Team, which arrived at the incident site shortly after it unfolded. KVOE News will have updates as they develop on KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media.
Traffic on South 99 was completely closed between Roads 130 and 140. A portion of the road has been reopened with a pilot car and flagger directing traffic in the vicinity as the investigation continues.
Noon Wednesday: Emergency response to alleged vehicle pursuit and collision shuts down traffic on South Kansas Highway 99 late Tuesday morning
A section of South Kansas Highway 99 is closed to all traffic following a vehicle collision late Tuesday morning.
The accident allegedly unfolded as the result of a vehicle pursuit that began in the Emporia city limits and was reportedly picked up by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office as it exited Emporia south on Kansas Highway 99. Full details are currently pending; however, initial indications are that the alleged suspect vehicle collided with at least one other, blocking all traffic between Roads 140 and 130.
Further details, including potential injuries, are pending. Motorists are being asked to find an alternate route of travel around the accident scene until further notice and to direct all non-emergency phone calls to the Lyon County non-emergency line at 620-343-4225.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates as they develop.
