The Hutchinson man arrested after an accident back on July 25 has been formally charged with felony flee and elude for the incident.
18-year-old Benjamin McKinney was traveling at a high rate of speed when he rear ended another vehicle in the 700 block of East 11th.
It happened around 2:25 p-m, that afternoon when McKinney rear ended a pickup driven by 43-year-old Stephanie Lee Wood also of Hutchinson. Her vehicle then collided with a house at 721 E 11th. After the initial impact, the Explorer McKinney was driving collided with a tree between the east and west lanes on 11th.
The vehicle McKinney was driving was being pursued by the Hutchinson Police for being a reported as a stolen. The officer ended the chase once it was clear McKinney wasn’t going to stop. He continued traveling at the high rate of speed until the accident occurred.
McKinney was transported by Midwest Lifeteam helicopter to Via-Cristi St. Francis Regional Medical Center where he was admitted for a severe concussion. Wood was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for undetermined injuries and general neck and back pain.
McKinney in the same complaint was also charged with five counts of auto burglary which apparently occurred on that same date. He could be looking at 5-17 months in prison on each count if convicted.
He’ll be back in court on August 27 and he remains jailed on 75-thousand dollar bond.