DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities continue searching for a man who took off, almost hit an officer with his car, led them on a high-speed pursuit down I-70, crashed and then ran into the woods.
Just after 3 p.m., Sunday police were called to a car wash in the 1000 Block of N. 3rd Street in Lawrence, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe.
Someone called because a man was sleeping in his running car. Officers called for medical help after they noticed he was breathing but not responding. The man eventually woke up, would not cooperate with officers, and quickly hit the gas, almost hitting one of the officers.
The suspect vehicle entered Interstate 70 eastbound where speeds reached more than 100 mph, then eventually hit spike strips positioned by a KHP Trooper.
The driver continued on two rims until he struck a middle barrier just east of the Tonganoxie-Eudora exit. The car came to a stop slightly off the shoulder and the suspect fled on foot southbound into thick brush and woods.
The vehicle was reported stolen out of Overland Park, according to McCabe. A search of the vehicle revealed suspected illegal drugs to include marijuana packaged for sale, heroin, miscellaneous pills, a handgun and miscellaneous ammunition and extended magazines. Multiple K9's assisted with the search along with our Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and KHP air support.
Law enforcement agencies have identified the suspect as wanted for a parole violation out of Illinois. If you see this man or have any information, please call 911.