photo by: Lawrence Police Department

A driver crashed into five parked vehicles near 19th Street on the morning of Jan. 21, 2026.

While attempting to avoid a traffic stop, a man crashed into five parked cars and took off on foot before Lawrence police officers caught him early Wednesday morning.

A patrol officer noticed a car run through a red light at a high rate of speed at 11th and Tennessee streets just after 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday. When the officer activated his lights and followed the suspect, the man didn’t stop, according to a social media post by the Lawrence Police Department.

The man allegedly continued driving south on Tennessee Street at more than 50 miles per hour until he eventually crashed into five parked cars. The crash took place near 19th Street, and the man got out and took off on foot before officers caught him between nearby houses.

There was also a passenger in the vehicle, and he was trapped in the wreckage, the post said. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical responded to get him out, and both the driver and passenger refused additional medical treatment.

Officers were able to get in touch with four owners of the parked cars, and they left a business card on the final car to notify the owner to contact the LPD.

According to the Douglas County jail booking log, Marse Emiliano Cervantes, 22, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the possession of a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, attempting to flee or elude, not reporting an accident with an unattended vehicle/property and other traffic violations.