A Texas man is in jail in McPherson while his female passenger is being held in Saline County after a high speed pursuit that ended near Newton.

Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander tells KSAL News that the chase began Thursday afternoon around 2:30pm after a deputy stopped a BMW 328 with Texas plates near mile marker #247.

The driver had no ID, his passenger handed her Texas license to the officer who then noticed the strong odor of marijuana. Moments later the driver sped away with the deputy in pursuit as they looped down onto southbound I-135.

Authorities arrested 21-year-old Braelyn Aubrey of Eskridge, TX on multiple charges after he was apprehended in Harvey County.

Kansas Highway Patrol deployed spike strips during the chase and allege Aubrey drove aggressively at the trooper who was outside his cruiser. That action is the reason Aubrey is being charged in McPherson with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer plus flee and elude charges in conjunction with multiple charges in Saline County.

He and his passenger 42-year-old Starlett Smith of Arlington, TX are also facing charges for drug possession and destruction of evidence.

Original story:

A motorist is in custody following a multi-county high-speed vehicle pursuit which began near Salina and ended near Newton.

Local authorities say it started on eastbound I-70 in Saline County. The suspect exited to I-135 and continued south through Saline and McPherson Counties and into Harvey County.

Troopers apprehended the motorist shortly before 3:30 p.m. south of Newton The driver and a single passenger were taken into custody.

There were no injuries in the incident.

Charges are pending.