Chase ends in crash on Hillsboro street
Staff writer
A high-speed chase through the county ended Aug. 28 when a Hillsboro police car was struck by a car driven by a Hillsboro man.
At 7:32 p.m., Deputy Josh Meliza clocked a car being driven at a high speed by Tanner M. Jasper, 25, Hillsboro, on Sunflower Rd. south of 150th Rd.
Meliza gave chase. Originally headed north on Sunflower Rd., Jasper turned west on 150th Rd., drove to Quail Creek Rd., then went north on Quail Creek to 160th Rd.
On 150th Rd., which is gravel, Jasper was driving between 70 and 90 mph, Undersheriff Larry Starkey said. On paved roads, he was driving at speeds approaching 90 mph.
On 150th Rd., Meliza backed off far enough amid rising dust but still could see and continued following.
“He wasn’t right on top of him or anything,” Starkey said. “He was staying back far enough he had time to stop if he needed to.”
Jasper turned west on 160th Rd. and deputy Landis Goodman put stop sticks across the road half a mile west of Nighthawk Rd. The stop sticks didn’t deploy properly and failed to stop the car, Starkey said.
Jasper turned north on Kanza Rd., then turned west on 190th Rd. and drove into Hillsboro.
In town, he turned north on Washington St. and took 2nd St. to Main St.
Hillsboro officer John Huebert, suspecting Jasper was headed to a residence in the 200 block of N. Main St. where the owners of the car lived, stopped his squad car at the intersection of Main and 2nd Sts.
Jasper drove into the side of Huebert’s squad car. Huebert was inside, but the collision was at low speed, Hillsboro Police Chief Jessey Hiebert said.
The squad car had minor damage and remained drivable, Hiebert said.
“Our deputy pulled up behind him, and the suspect vehicle backed up, striking the deputy’s car,” Starkey said.
The deputy’s squad car was struck on the front license plate, Starkey said.
None of the cars sustained serious damage, and no one was injured, Starkey said.
The chase ended at 7:58 p.m.
Jasper was jailed on suspicion of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement; aggravated battery on an officer; reckless driving; driving while his license was canceled, suspend or revoked; driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and criminal damage to property.
Bond was set at $50,000.