Kristofer Allen Photo Saline County
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a high-speed chase in Saline County.
Just before 8 p.m. Friday, an officer at the intersection of South Broadway Boulevard and West Crawford Street in Salina observed a northbound dark-colored passenger car with a temporary tag and without its lights on making a left turn onto West Crawford Street, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The officer initiated a traffic stop and the car stopped in the 700 block of Cherokee Drive.
As the officer got out of the patrol car, the suspect car took off south on Cherokee Drive and then turned right on Choctaw Avenue, heading back to West Crawford Street at speeds of up to 60 mph, he said. The car then headed west on West Crawford Street, and as it crossed Interstate Interstate 35, it accelerated to 95 mph, according to Forrester. At that point, the officer terminated pursuit.
Then just before 2a.m. Sunday, an officer spotted a 2006 black Nissan Altima with a 60-day tag traveling southbound in the 600 block of South Fifth Street, Forrester said. The vehicle turned west onto West Crawford Street with the officer following, he said. The officer attempted to make a traffic stop at West Crawford Street and Whittinghill Avenue, but the Altima accelerated to speeds in excess of 80 mph and continued west on West Crawford Street. The officer terminated pursuit in the 2700 block and a Saline County Sheriff's deputy picked up the pursuit until the suspect driver identified as Kristopher Allen, 22, Salina, lost control and traveled into the ditch in the 4000 block of West Crawford Street, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.
The car became stuck in the ditch and had to be towed from the scene.
Deputies arrested Allen who was not injured, on requested charges that include, Flee and elude, Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Driving while suspended and Speeding. He has previous convictions for drugs and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.