High-speed car chase leads to arrest

A cooperative effort between deputies of the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol Wednesday culminated in the arrest of Curtis D. Moreland, 18, Fort Scott, who allegedly got into a high-speed chase with a KHP trooper.

At 8:48 a.m., KHP trooper Justin Olberding attempted to pull over a gold-colored 1990s model Chevrolet truck on 215th St. KHP alleges that the driver was speeding. He sped off and led the Olberding on a high speed chase on county roads in northern Bourbon County.

Speeds reached between 80 to 110 miles per hour during portions of the chase, according to radio transmissions between the trooper and a Fort Scott Police dispatcher.

During the chase, which lasted about 20 minutes, Bourbon County Deputy Sheriff John Taylor and Undersheriff Ron Gray helped in the pursuit. Gray first came in contact with the truck at Kansas Highway 7 and Wagon Road. Prior to that, the truck eluded Olberding by crossing a river creek bottom that prevented the trooper's vehicle from entering, Gray said.

The undersheriff pursued the vehicle for about two miles until the driver slowed down and finally stopped on Kansas Highway 31 just off 165 Street. He wasn't traveling at a high rate of speed at that time, about 50 to 55 mph, Gray said. Gray detained the driver and a passenger until Olberding arrived and arrested the motorist.

Moreland was identified as the driver. He was arrested in connection with felony fleeing to elude, possession of marijuana, and driving with suspended license. He is currently in custody at the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center. The passenger wasn't arrested.