What started as a routine traffic stop on the evening of January 25 turned into a deadly pursuit on US Highway 54 near Greensburg. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers had spotted a stolen 2009 Ford Focus, a vehicle linked to a homicide investigation in Anderson County.
The Pursuit Unfolds
Around 9:03 PM, officers attempted to pull over the driver, 55-year-old Jerry Wayne Thompson from Tidewater, Oregon. Initially, Thompson complied, pulling to the side of the road. Moments later, he sped off, triggering a high-speed pursuit.
Efforts to End the Chase
The Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office took swift action by deploying stop sticks along the highway. As the car hit the sticks at milepost 105, Thompson lost control. His vehicle veered off the road, struck a field entrance, and became airborne before rolling several times.
A Fatal Outcome
Thompson, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Emergency services rushed him to Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, but he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Homicide Investigation Connection
Thompson was a person of interest in the death of Sheila Kendall, a 36-year-old woman whose body was discovered earlier in Kincaid, Kansas. Authorities had issued an arrest warrant for him in connection with the case.
A Community Reflects
The incident has left a trail of questions and sorrow. Investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy as the community grapples with the violent end of a pursuit that began with hopes of justice.
