Spike strips used to stop driver in chase

Douglas County deputies chased a minivan for several miles Thursday night before they caught up with the driver within the Lawrence city limits.

A rural resident from south of Lawrence called the Sheriff’s Office about 7:30 p.m. to report a one-vehicle accident. A white 1985 Dodge Caravan, driven by a Lawrence man, had swerved into the ditch in the 1100 section of County Road 1135 and driven away, said Lt. Kathy Tate, Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

A deputy saw the vehicle at County Road 458 and U.S. Highway 59, where the driver turned north onto U.S. 59 and drove the speed limit toward Lawrence.

At 23rd and Iowa streets, the driver swerved to miss spiked strips that Lawrence Police had put across the road.

The driver ran across the spikes with the van’s two right tires and continued north on Iowa. He turned east on Stratford Road and pulled over near Sunset Terrace.

Police arrested the driver and took him to the Douglas County Jail, pending charges.

Watkins event teaches children about spring

Children can learn about the joys of spring during a hands-on educational program this weekend at Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass.

The program, set for 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, will give children ages 3 to 5 a chance to discover some of the natural processes and traditions of spring.

An adult must accompany each child, and participants must register in advance. There is a $5 registration fee, which includes a snack.

Call 841-4109 to register or for more information.

Suspect in 2001 rape booked into county jail

A 23-year-old Lawrence man has been booked into the Douglas County Jail to stand trial in a 2001 rape case.

The man was jailed this week after being released from serving a sentence with the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Prosecutors allege that in October 2001, the man had sex with a girl under the age of 14, which constitutes rape under Kansas law.

He’s also charged with seven counts of having sex with girls between the ages of 14 and 16, classified as aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

His bond is set at $100,000.

The Journal-World generally does not identify suspects in sex crimes unless they have been convicted.

Motorcyclist treated after collision with car

A motorcyclist was hospitalized Thursday afternoon after he struck a car.

Dustin B. Vantuyl, 21, Perry, was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital after the accident near Midland Junction in northern Douglas County. An LMH spokesman said Vantuyl later was transferred to another hospital.

Vantuyl was traveling west on U.S. Highway 24 behind a 1989 Mazda driven by Julie A. Hoffman, 44, Topeka. As Hoffman slowed to turn left, Vantuyl attempted to pass her car on the left and collided with the left front end of Hoffman’s vehicle, according to a Kansas Highway Patrol report.

Hoffman was not injured.

Eudora boy injured, in serious condition

Eudora — An 8-year-old Eudora boy was in serious condition Thursday night at a Kansas City, Mo., hospital after being struck by a car Wednesday.

The boy, a first-grader at Nottingham Elementary School, may have fallen out of the van he was riding in Wednesday afternoon before he was hit. The Eudora News reported that the boy suffered a head injury during the incident.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical officials responded at 3:16 p.m. Wednesday to 1500 Tallgrass Road, in the Whispering Neighbors Court neighborhood of Eudora.

The boy was flown to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., where a spokeswoman said he was in serious condition Thursday.