SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit and run accident that left a man dead in Topeka, have made an arrest and identified the victim.
Just after 1 p.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began receiving reports of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash in a field near Curtis Cemetery in North Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen. Witnesses stated the suspect fled the area in a black two-door vehicle.
At the scene, officers located an adult male identified as 41-year-old Emerson D. Downing of Topeka, suffering from life-threatening injuries after he was run over by vehicle. DOwning was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he died.
A trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol located the suspect’s vehicle near SW Emland Dr. and SW Gage Blvd. The suspect later identified as Chad Thomas Cuevas, 51, was taken into custody, questioned and arrested on requested charges of first-degree murder, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.
Preliminary information indicates this incident stemmed from a disturbance that occurred in the area of NW Tyler St. and NW Waddell Street.
Police have not released the victims’ name.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run accident in Topeka.
At 1:05 p.m. Monday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center began receiving reports of a vehicle versus pedestrian crash in a field near Curtis Cemetery in North Topeka, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen. Witnesses stated the suspect fled the area in a black two-door vehicle.
At the scene, officers located an adult male victim suffering from life-threatening injuries after he was run over by vehicle. The victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he died.
A trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol located the suspect’s vehicle near SW Emland Dr. and SW Gage Blvd. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and is currently being questioned at the Law Enforcement Center.
Preliminary information indicates this incident stemmed from a disturbance that occurred in the area of NW Tyler St. and NW Waddell Street. Police have not released the victim's name.