SALINE COUNTY —A high-speed vehicle pursuit in rural Saline County ended in a violent confrontation and a man from Little River turning himself in on multiple requested charges including attempted second-degree murder, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.
Just after 1a.m. on Oct. 13, a Saline County Sheriff's Office deputy attempted to stop a Chevrolet Silverado clocked at nearly 80 mph in a 45-mph zone on Old 40 and State Street west of Salina.
The deputy turned around and tried to stop the driver but the truck fled from the attempted traffic stop, according to Soldan. "When the pickup approached Crawford street, the driver turned west. The deputy tried to follow the pickup for about a mile. There was so much dust, the deputy called off the chase.
Approximately 15 minutes later, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a man who said he was assaulted and run over by the driver of the pickup. According to Soldan, the victim had been a passenger in the vehicle during the attempted stop and asked the driver to be let out. When the driver refused, an altercation occurred.
“The suspect later identified as told him he was going to kill him and then actually physically ran over him with the truck,” Soldan said.
The 51-year-old victim from Ellinwood told deputies the suspect later identified as 30-year-old Wyatt Stimatze of Little River, ran over him near the 2500 block of South Muir Road. He also reported having tire tracks on his back. The victim managed to escape by hiding in a field while Stimatze briefly left the scene before returning to search for the victim.
The victim did sustain injuries and was taken to Salina Regional Health Center for treatment, according to Soldan.
Stimatze and the victim were acquaintances through work.
Deputies searched the roadways in the immediate area for Stimatze, but were unable to locate him. On Thursday, Oct. 24, after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Stimatze turned himself in at the Saline County Jail.
Initially charged with aggravated battery, Stimatze now faces additional charges, including attempted second-degree murder, kidnapping, criminal threat, and reckless driving.
A judge set his bond at $250,000. Stimatze's next court appearance, a scheduling hearing, is set for Nov. 4.