On Sunday, Oct. 20, at about 3:50 p.m., a deputy with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a motorcycle traveling south in the 300 block of SW 50th Road. The vehicle had no license plate.
The operator of the motorcycle refused to stop and attempted to flee from the deputy. The chase continued approximately 12 miles into Pawnee County. The suspect drove the motorcycle into a pasture where he lost control and crashed.
A Pawnee County deputy, as well as the Barton County Deputy, were attempting to restrain the suspect when one of the vehicles set the field on fire. The suspect continued to resist arrest as the officers attempted to deal with the fire and the suspect.
During the course of the encounter, the Pawnee County Sheriff’s deputy suffered second-degree burns as a result and was sent to a Wichita area hospital. He is expected to make full recovery. A Barton County patrol unit was damaged by fire and the suspect’s Suzuki motorcycle was destroyed.
The operator of the motorcycle was identified as Aaron Clark, age 46 of Hudson, KS.
Clark was booked on requested charges of attempt to flee and elude, driving while revoked, and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. Clark also had two outstanding warrants from Kiowa and Ellsworth counties. He was also being sought for questioning about an arson case in the city of Otis in Rush County. The Barton County charges carry a bond of $5,000, the Ellsworth County warrant has a $5,000 bond, and the Kiowa County warrant is a no bond warrant. Clark remains in custody as of this morning.