A Linn County deputy was involved in a high-speed chase early on Friday, Feb. 14. (Journal file photo)
MOUND CITY – A Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputy joined a high-speed pursuit of a pickup truck who driver was trying to elude an Osawatomie Police Department (OPD) officer early on Friday, Feb. 14. The pursuit ended in the suspect’s pickup driving off the road and into a grove of trees, causing considerable damage to the pickup.
The pickup’s driver, identified as Aaron E. Upton, abandoned the disabled truck after the crash and fled on foot. A K-9 unit from Osawatomie was called in to search for Upton, who was found lying face down in a field after a 17-minute search.
Officers took the suspect into custody. The chase began as Upton failed to stop after OPD officer Anthony Dougan tried to pull him over.
According to the report filed by Deputy Charles Stokes, he was advised by Linn County dispatch that Osawatomie police were chasing a 2001 Ford F150 pickup headed south into Linn County traveling at speeds up to 100 mph. Stokes joined the single OPD pursuit vehicle in Parker as the suspect’s pickup traveled east on Woodward St. at speeds around 80 mph.
The chase high-speed chase continued east on West 2100 Road, crossing the Kansas Highway 7 intersection at speeds nearing 100 mph without stopping for the stop sign and continuing east on Kansas Highway152, according to Stokes’ report.
The suspect turned south on Keitel Road, which at that time was snow- and ice-packed. Stokes reported the driver was traveling at 50 to 60 mph on Keitel Road. The chase ended when the both the suspect’s truck and the OPD vehicle failed to negotiate a T-intersection at 2000 and Inman roads.
The pickup truck traveled through brush before running into the tree line. Stokes reported that the suspect’s pickup was inoperable. He also reported that
Stokes reported that the OPD pursuit vehicle, a Dodge Ram pickup, received heavy front bumper damage, however, officers managed to get the vehicle back on the road and left the scene.
Stokes also reported that the suspect smelled like someone who had consumed alcoholic beverages. Upton told Stokes he was not injured in the incident.