Shawn D. Reichel, 18, of Westphalia, was taken into custody on Sunday, Dec. 7, after a high-speed pursuit that began in Westphalia and continued across multiple county roads before deputies disabled the vehicle with stop sticks on Hwy. 63.

The incident began when an Osage County deputy saw a white 1991 Dodge D350 flatbed truck leaving the Legends Bank parking lot in Westphalia at a high speed. According to the report, the truck spun its tires as it exited the lot and had no rear license plate or working tail lights.

When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled. The truck entered Hwy. 63, reaching speeds between 80 and 100 miles per hour. During the pursuit, the driver drove in oncoming lanes and passed vehicles recklessly as he continued south on Hwy. 63.

The chase continued onto multiple county roads before returning to Hwy. 63 northbound, where the truck was traveling at approximately 90 mph. Deputy Haslag deployed stop sticks on Hwy. 63 near CR 527, and the truck struck them, deflating its rear tires.

An Osage County patrol vehicle and a civilian vehicle were damaged during the pursuit. The report also noted the fleeing truck narrowly missed a civilian motorist.

Deputies later found the truck abandoned at a residence on CR 632. The owners confirmed it belonged to their son, Shawn Reichel. Deputies located Reichel at a nearby residence and took him into custody without incident.

According to the report, Reichel admitted he fled from the deputy, drove recklessly, knew the truck was unregistered, and did not have his driver’s license or proof of insurance with him.

Reichel was booked into the Osage County Detention Center on a 24-hour hold pending review by the Osage County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.