Cass County deputy, pulled from burning car after high-speed chase, is hospitalized
A Cass County sheriff’s deputy who was pulled from his burning patrol car after a high-speed chase ended in a wreck Monday night remains hospitalized, according to the sheriff’s office.
The chase started 11:45 p.m. Monday when the deputy stopped a Chevrolet Tahoe for a suspected traffic violation near South Prospect and 115th Street near northwest Belton, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
When deputies approached the Tahoe, it allegedly sped away. At least one deputy gave chase.
During the brief chase, the Tahoe and the deputy’s patrol vehicle went off the road at a curve, north of East 155th Street and South Prospect Avenue.
The Tahoe hit a tree and came to rest in a nearby field.
The deputy’s patrol car also hit a tree, was severely damaged and caught fire.
A second deputy arrived and pulled the injured deputy from the burning car, according to the sheriff’s office.
Fire crews from Grandview and Kansas City arrived and extinguished the burning vehicle and rending first aid to the deputy.
The injured deputy was taken to a hospital, where he was in serious but stable condition.
Officers from several jurisdictions, including police from Belton, Grandview and Kansas City, as well as the Missouri Highway Patrol, responded to to the scene.
About 12:30 a.m., they found the suspected driver of the Tahoe hiding near the scene and arrested him.
Police identified the man as Charles F. Rice, 36, of Kansas City.
Later Tuesday night, the sheriff’s office announced in a news release that Rice was charged in Cass County Circuit Court with second-degree assault, resisting arrest and driving while revoked. Bond was set at $150,000 cash.
Rice was expected to be arraigned Wednesday.
This story was originally published September 17, 2019 at 11:20 AM.
