A pursuit involving a stolen vehicle in Kiowa County ended in a fatal crash on January 25, 2025. The incident began at 9:03 PM when Kansas Highway Patrol troopers located a stolen 2009 Ford Focus traveling eastbound on US Highway 54. The vehicle was being sought in connection with a homicide investigation in Anderson County.
As troopers prepared to initiate a traffic stop, the driver of the Ford, later identified as Jerry Wayne Thompson, pulled over but fled after verbal contact was made. A chase ensued, and the Kiowa County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed stop sticks at milepost 105. The vehicle veered off the road, struck a field entrance, became airborne, and rolled over.
A loaded firearm was recovered from the crash scene. Thompson, who was unrestrained in the vehicle, was ejected and transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The homicide is under investigation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
