Man arrested after hit-and-run in downtown Topeka early Thursday

TOPEKA, Kansas (WIBW) – A man was arrested after fleeing a hit-and-run crash in downtown Topeka early Thursday morning, authorities said.

The man arrested was identified as Douglas Leon Ray Abel II, 30, of Topeka.

According to authorities, the accident occurred around 2:38 a.m. Thursday near SW 20th Street and Buchanan Street.

Topeka Police spokeswoman Rosie Nichols said officers observed a vehicle committing a traffic violation near the corner of SW 16th and Clay streets shortly after 2:30 a.m. Thursday.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled the scene at high speed, Nichols said.

Police remained on scene and later witnessed the driver collide with several vehicles in the 1900 block of SW Clay Street, Nichols said.

The driver then fled the scene of the accident on foot, Nichols said.

A short time later, Topeka police located a suspected suspect – later identified as Abel – near SW Hampton Street and Lincoln Street and took him into custody.

Nichols said it was later determined that the vehicle involved in the incident was stolen. No other injuries were reported.

As a result of the investigation, Abel was arrested and placed in the SNCO DOC and charged with the following:

Abel was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, Nichols said.

After being released from the hospital, Abel was booked into the Shawnee County Jail at 3:50 a.m. Thursday, officials said.

He was booked into jail late Thursday morning on charges of theft from a motor vehicle valued at between $25,000 and $100,000 and obstructing a police officer.

More information will be available at wibw.com as it becomes available.

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