By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY and NATE KING
Salina Post
HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two people from Texas after a high-speed chase that began in Saline County and ended in Harvey County.
Just before 2:30 p.m. Thursday, a Saline County deputy observed a BMW 328 traveling 88mph on Interstate 70 west of Salina, according to Undersheriff Brent Melander.
The deputy stopped the car near Halstead Road and made contact with the driver,identified as Braelyn Eskridge, 21, of Aubrey, Texas.
Eskridge told the deputy that he didn't have identification. A passenger in the car identified as Starlett Smith, 42, of Arlington, Texas, did provide a Texas identification card, according to Melander.
During the discussion with Eskridge and Smith, the deputy smelled marijuana.
The deputy returned to his vehicle to run a records check. When the deputy returned to the BMW, Eskridge allegedly said he had a warrant and drove off, Melander said.
The BMW headed eastbound on Interstate 70 before turning south onto Interstate 135 with deputies in pursuit.
Deputies north of the Mentor exit on Interstate 135 placed stop sticks on the highway, which flattened the front driver-side tire.
The BMW continued, then used the Mentor exit and traveling east at a high rate of speed before turning south on S. Ohio Street. During that time, Smith allegedly was tossing marijuana and drug paraphernalia from the BMW, according to Melander.
The car continued at a high rate of speed across Kansas Highway 4 before turning west on E. Lapsley Road, then south on Old 81 Highway before re-entering I-135 at the Bridgeport exit.
Kansas Highway Patrol troopers put down stop sticks in McPherson County. KHP Technical Trooper Ben Gardner told Salina Post that Eskridge positioned the BMW in such a way as to attempt to strike a trooper deploying the stop sticks. The trooper was not injured.
The BMW continued into Harvey County, where it finally crashed south of Newton.
Eskridge was booked into the McPherson County Jail on the following requested charges of Aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, Aggravated assault with deadly weapon and Flee or attempt to elude law enforcement by engaging in reckless driving, according to online records.
Smith, who was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Interference with law enforcement, Destroying evidence, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Melander. Saline County may also pursue charges against Eskridge.