TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities investigating a motorcycle crash that critically injured a woman have made an arrest.
Just before 10:30 p.m. May 1, police attempted to stop a motorcycle for traffic infractions in the area of the 3500 block of SW 29th Terrace in Topeka, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz. The operator of the motorcycle later identified as 31-year-old Austen T. Burris of Topeka failed to stop and took off at a high rate of speed.
The officers did not pursue and they lost sight of the motorcyle.
Just before 2a.m. May 2, officers saw the motorcycle again and this time Burris had a passenger. They attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of 17th and SW Western but the Burris again failed to stop and took off at a high rate of speed. Officers did not pursue and they last saw the motorcycle traveling westbound on SW 17th Street, according to Munoz.
. Approximately 10 minutes later, officers were in the area of SW 16th and SW College where they located the motorcycle after it had been involved in an accident.
Officers located a woman who was suffering from life-threating injuries. She was transported to a local hospital where she remains in critical condition.
On May 9, police arrested Burris at 3513 SW 29th Street in Topeka following an attempt to locate issued by officers of the Accident Reconstruction Unit. Burris was booked into Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Failed to stop at accident; result in Great Bodily Injury, Felony Elude, Reckless Driving and Driving with Suspended Driver's License.