Three Hurt in High-Speed Chase in North Central Kansas; Man from Washington State Taken Into Custody on Felony Warrant

On Monday, April 22nd, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office became aware that officers from the Clay Center Police Department and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office were in a high speed chase with a vehicle traveling northbound on highway K-15.  Officers responded and joined the chase which entered Washington County on K-9/K-15.

The chase involved speeds in excess of 100 mph, along with erratic and reckless driving by the suspect vehicle.  Multiple vehicles were also ran off the roadway.  Stop Sticks were deployed around the Linn area and were not successful, with the suspect vehicle going off the roadway to avoid them.  It was during this time and location that the Clay Center Police Department patrol car was involved in an accident, with no injury to the officer and minor damage to the vehicle.

Upon reaching the south side of Washington on K-15 at Industrial Park Drive, the suspect vehicle lost control on the east side of the roadway causing it to enter the ditch at a high rate of speed.  The vehicle then collided with an embankment causing it to go airborne and rollover, coming to rest on the north side of the intersection.  

Responding to the scene were Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office K-9, Kansas Highway Patrol, Washington Fire Department, Washington EMS, Linn EMS and Kansas Department of Transportation.

There were three occupants in the suspect vehicle, a 2022 Ram 1500 pickup; the driver Robert D Allen of Bellevue, Washington, a passenger Rylee L Linders of Bellevue, Washington, and a female juvenile passenger.  All occupants were injured and transported to the Washington County Hospital.

In the course of the investigation it was found that the suspect vehicle had fled from law enforcement earlier in the day as well, before coming to Clay and then Washington counties.  The driver, Robert D Allen, was found to have a felony warrant out of Washington State for Escape from Custody and Assault.  Allen is currently in the custody of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for the out of state warrant and multiple pending charges from the incident occurring on this date. 

This incident is an ongoing investigation and no further information will be disseminated at this time.