On Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 11:35 pm, an Ellinwood Police Department officer conducted a traffic stop on a white SUV in the 100 block of East Santa Fe Blvd. The driver stopped briefly then fled from the officer. After driving down several streets in the City of Ellinwood, the driver continued west on Highway 56 toward the City of Great Bend.
The pursuit continued through Great Bend then continued west on 56 Highway. During the pursuit, the driver reached speeds in excess of 115 miles per hour, avoided stop sticks, turned its headlights off and on, and at one point traveled head on with a semi that was able to avoid the collision.
At mile marker 194, near the town of Pawnee Rock, the Ellinwood officer, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir and several deputies with the Sheriff’s Office were able to use a rolling roadblock to bring the vehicle safely to a stop. The driver was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. Methamphetamine and paraphernalia were later located in the vehicle.
The driver, Amanda Marie Enrriquez of Great Bend, was transported to the Barton County Jail where she was booked in for felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine / paraphernalia, and driving while suspended.
This case is still under investigation, anyone with information about this crime or any other crime is asked to contact the Ellinwood Police Department at 620-564-3001.