Man charged with running over Wichita officer faces hearing
The man accused of driving a stolen SUV during a chase and running over and critically injuring Wichita police Officer Brian Arterburn five months ago faces a hearing Thursday to determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial.
The preliminary hearing for Justin Terrazas is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Sedgwick County District Court.
Terrazas, 31, is charged with aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer. He has remained in jail on bonds adding up to almost $600,000.
Witnesses at the Feb. 7 incident saw an SUV swerve toward Arterburn, according to a police affidavit. Witnesses said the driver appeared to intentionally hit the officer. It happened on a one-way residential street in south Wichita, as the officer was trying to lay down a tire-deflation device in front of the fleeing SUV, which was stolen.
According to the affidavit, investigators found methamphetamine pipes and a substance that tested positive for meth when they searched the SUV after a chase.
At a hospital where Terrazas was being treated, an officer heard Terrazas say something. According to the affidavit, it was, “Please tell me I didn’t hit that cop.”
Arterburn, who suffered severe and extensive injuries, is continuing to recover.
Tim Potter: 316-268-6684, @timpotter59
This story was originally published July 6, 2017 at 7:57 AM with the headline "Man charged with running over Wichita officer faces hearing."