Feb 27, 2024

SW Kan. teen among 8 hospitalized after. crash fleeing police

Posted Feb 27, 2024 10:00 PM

FINNEY COUNTY —Eight people were injured and one injured driver is facing multiple requested charges after crash fleeing from police.

Around 1:00 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the 3300 block of Eagle Drive in Garden City for an aggravated assault that just occurred.

Officers learned that Israel Rios, 18, arrived at a residence and got into a verbal argument with several individuals. Rios shot a firearm into the air after threatening the reporting party and fled the scene in his vehicle with two juveniles.

Officers later located the vehicle at the intersection of Walker and Conkling Streets in Garden City and attempted a traffic stop, but Rios refused to stop, and a vehicle pursuit was initiated.

Rios continued to evade officers by utilizing side streets throughout the southwest side of town. The pursuit then traveled northeast onto Kansas Avenue before Officers terminated the pursuit near the Main Street intersection due to increasing traffic.

Rios continued driving eastbound at a high rate of speed before he lost control and struck five vehicles at the intersection of Center Street and Kansas Avenue.

EMS transported Rios and the two juveniles were ejected from the vehicle and transported to the hospital.  Rios and one passenger were later flown out of town due to the extent of their injuries. Five other victims involved in the accident were also transported to St. Catherine Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Law enforcement have filed an affidavit for Rios requesting numerous charges from the aggravated assault and police pursuit to including Multiple counts of Aggravated Assault, Multiple counts of Aggravated Endangerment of a Child, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Criminal Threat and Felony Flee and Elude.