By NEBRASKA STATE PATROL
OMAHA, Neb.-Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested one person after the suspect fled a traffic stop and caused a crash at 30th and Ames Avenue in Omaha.
At approximately 11:00 a.m. Friday, a trooper observed a Kia Forte with expired license plates traveling on Highway 75 in Omaha, near Ames Avenue. The vehicle exited Highway 75 at Ames Avenue, then pulled over on the exit ramp before the trooper activated his emergency lights. The trooper then attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect accelerated, ran a red light, and turned westbound onto Ames. The trooper initiated a pursuit but discontinued the pursuit seconds later due to traffic volume in the area.
After a few blocks, the Kia ran a red light at 30th and Ames and struck another vehicle, that collided with a third vehicle. The trooper and Omaha Police units arrived at the scene quickly. The driver attempted to use his vehicle to flee again, but the vehicle was disabled. The driver refused to exit the vehicle. OPD officers deployed pepper ball, at which time the driver exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident. A handgun was located on the driver’s person as he was being taken into custody.
Two child passengers of the Kia were also transported to UNMC with non-life-threatening injuries. Neither child, both two-years-old, was in a car seat. No occupants of either other vehicle involved reported injuries. The Omaha Police Department is investigating the crash.
The driver of the Kia, Martel Toles, 34, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was transported to UNMC with injuries suffered in the crash. Toles has an outstanding warrant from Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Charges for Friday’s incident are pending.