Update: Two suspects remain at large after Toyota auto collision this morning in east Wellington
Auto accident on E. 16th has led to manhunt this morning. (Click on photo for larger version).
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Two male subjects, one who appears to be in his late 30s or early 40s, and the other around 20 years of age are at large, after a two-car accident at the 800 block of E. 16th this morning.
Around 11 a.m., two males were in a west-bound silver 2017 Toyota Yaris rental when it crossed the double yellow stripes into the eastbound lane on U.S. 160 north of the Freewill Baptist Church and south of Countryside Motors, and collided into a white 2017 Toyota Scion.
Upon impact the two subjects took off in two separate directions – one heading south into a wooded area along the Hargis Creek just north of the church, and the other going north to the Hargis Creek Watershed.
The other driver in the white car was taken to Sumner Regional Medical Center and was released with minor injuries.
Wellington Police Chief Tracy Heath said he does not think the two in the silver Toyota were seriously injured, although judging from the evidence in the car, there appears one of them may have suffered some type of head injury.
According to witnesses and video surveillance evidence from an area business, one of the subjects escaped wearing a red Chicago Bulls hoodie and carrying a black backpack.
He took off in a southward direction.
“I requested at that time because Hargis Creek flows next to the Wellington Middle School that we place both the middle school and Kennedy Elementary which is also in the area in lockdown,” Heath said.
The two schools were in lockdown for 90 minutes, with the lockdown clearance occurring at 1 p.m.
Heath said the red hoodie suspect sometime thereafter found a ride to the Wellington Wal-Mart and was then picked up there by another resident, where he remains at large.
Less is known about the activity of the 40ish individual who was walking north on foot. He was wearing a lime green hoodie and a dark jacket.
Heath said the department believes they know the suspects. When asked if the suspects may be local, Heath said there is no evidence that they are not.
Heath said there were no illegal substances in the vehicle at the time. He said he did not know who may have been driving the silver Toyota when the accident occurred.
The Yaris was recently rented from a Winfield rental company.
“We have no idea why they fled after the accident,” Heath said. “There could be a hundred reasons.”
