The early-Sunday vehicle fire in east Emporia originated with a reported traffic stop, ended with an arrest and had pursuits immediately before and after the crash that caused the fire.
Emporia Police Capt. Ray Mattas says a police officer began a traffic stop at Ninth and Peyton around 2:30 am. The driver, later identified as 24-year-old Wilver Sandoval, allegedly failed to stop and officers pursued until Sandoval allegedly fled from the van — causing the van to roll into a tree line in the 600 block of Whittier.
The van caught fire and was eventually destroyed.
Meanwhile, officers transitioned from a vehicle chase to a foot pursuit, locating and arresting Sandoval “a short distance away.”
Officers are requesting charges of flee and elude, driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and leaving the scene of a crash through Emporia Municipal Court.
