A 19-year-old Hutchinson man arrested after an accident back on July 25, was granted 12-months probation after he entered a plea in the case back on December 2.
Benjamin McKinney was charged with felony flee and elude, five counts of auto burglary and felony theft for allegedly taking items from vehicles of employees of Portfolio Recovery Associates. He also allegedly stole one of the vehicles leading to the accident. He entered a plea in the case to the felony flee and elude, four counts of auto burglary and the felony theft.
He was sentenced to 6-months on each count. Judge Tim Chambers then ran two of the sentences consecutive and the rest concurrent to each other for a controlling sentence of 12-months. He then granted the 1-year probation that may be served in California. The case was a presumptive probation case because McKinney had no prior criminal history.
The case centers on McKinney traveling at a high rate of speed when he rear ended another vehicle in the 700 block of East 11th. He struck 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.
McKinney was being pursued by Hutchinson Police, but 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 taken to a Wichita hospital where he was admitted for a severe concussion. Wood was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for general neck and back pain.
McKinney did serve that last 5-months in the county jail and will be required to pay for his lawyer. He will also have to pay some restitution.