Red Car Races Dangerously Through Salina

A Salina driver reached dangerous speeds through mid-town Salina early this morning, but his race met an end that landed him in police custody.

Vernon Howard III was driving his 1999 red Ford Contour near Tenth and South Street when an officer observed the driver not using his turn signal. The driver took Ninth Street southbound, and when he turned onto Prescott, the officer turned on his lights. The car began to accelerate, and the officer turned on his sirens. The chase took them to Santa Fe where Howard reached speeds of 60 mph, then on Crawford where he reached 75 mph. Howard attempted to turn into Bill Burke Park, where he lost control of his vehicle and damaged the vehicle to where it was not able to drive.

He exited the vehicle, began to run through the park, but was quickly apprehended. 39-year-old Howard was driving on a suspended license, had an open container and a stolen license plate inside the vehicle.