SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement arrested three teens and were looking for a fourth after a chase and crash in Wichita.
On Halloween night, police were in the area of Central and Oliver in Wichita to monitor a crowd gathering after receiving unverified information suggesting potential violence in the area for a balloon release related to a homicide that occurred on Halloween in 2024.
While monitoring the event, officers observed a man they recognized as violating his probation conditions enter a vehicle with several others. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, and it attempted to flee.
A brief pursuit ensued and concluded at 8th Street and Edgemoor, where the suspect vehicle was involved in a minor collision with another vehicle. The driver of that vehicle sustained minor injuries.
Four people exited the suspect vehicle and fled on foot. Officers were able to detain three of the individuals, who were subsequently booked into the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) for obstruction. A fourth suspect remains at large.
A fifth male, who was the driver, was found inside the vehicle with what was initially believed to be a gunshot wound. Officers provided immediate life-saving measures until EMS arrived. He was transported to a local hospital and remains in critical condition. Through continued investigation, it is now unclear how the driver sustained the injury, and the exact cause remains undetermined. Police recovered a firearm from the vehicle.
In accordance with Wichita Police Department policy related to vehicle pursuits resulting in crashes, the Kansas Highway Patrol was called in and will lead the investigation into the traffic collision.
All five individuals in the suspect vehicle are juveniles including two 16-year-old boys, two 15-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported police were in pursuit of a southbound 2008 Chevy Malibu driven by Dreshawn A Hardyway, 16, Wichita, in the 800 Block of North Edgemoor Street. The Malibu turned west on East 8th Street and struck a 2021 Chrysler Voyager driven by Christopher B. Paramo, 23, Wichita, who was stopped waiting to turn onto North Edgemoor Street.
EMS transported Hardyway to Wesley Medical Center. Two 14-year-olds were not injured. Paramo was not injured. The drivers and occupants in both vehicles were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.