SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects involved in a traffic stop that injured a sheriff's deputy and are looking for the driver of the vehicle who fled the scene.
Just before 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 5300 block of SW Topeka Boulevard on a blue Mercedes C300 passenger car, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.
During the investigation, the driver and front passenger attempted to exit the vehicle multiple times. The front male passenger, later identified as Tony M. Gant Jr, 39, of Topeka, exited the vehicle, refused to follow any commands and initiated a physical altercation with the deputy.
During the physical altercation that led to Gant being taken into custody, the male driver exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
Gant was arrested, booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felony battery against a law enforcement officer and interference with law enforcement.
The deputy was taken to a local hospital for treatment and released following this incident.
Authorities identified the driver as 39-year-old Patrick C. Morere of Topeka. Anyone with information on Morere’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office. A 32-year-old female passenger was interviewed and released from the scene.