A Kansas man led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through several area counties on I-70 late last week, and now faces felony charges in Lafayette County.
According to a probable-cause statement, at about 12:10 p.m. on December 29, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were advised of a vehicle traveling westbound on I-70, which reportedly fled from law enforcement in Boone and Cooper counties.
During the pursuit in Saline and Lafayette counties, troopers reportedly noticed the suspect’s vehicle was traveling at 120 miles per hour while passing other vehicles on the shoulder. Near the 52 mile marker on I-70, the suspect’s vehicle reportedly traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a cable barrier, which reportedly caused approximately $3,400 in damages. The suspect’s vehicle reportedly became disabled after hitting a spike strip near the 52.2 mile marker, and arrested was 21-year-old Joel Droge, of Shawnee, KS. Reportedly, Droge became combative while receiving medical treatment and was subdued with a “straitjacket”.
Online court documents state Droge has been charged with Class E Felonies for Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Property Damage Exceeding $1,000 and Resisting Arrest or Detention by Fleeing- Creating a Substantial Risk or Serious Injury or Death to Any Person. Bond was set at $15,000, with a special condition of wearing a GPS monitoring devise upon release.
Droge’s initial hearing at Lafayette County Circuit Court is pending.