Man accused of running over Wichita police officer pleads guilty, but hearing suddenly stops

The man charged with hitting and running over Wichita police officer Brian Arterburn in February 2017 pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and other charges at a plea hearing that was abruptly postponed Tuesday afternoon in Sedgwick County District Court.

Justin Terrazas answered “guilty” to Judge Bruce Brown’s question on how he was pleading on the charge of aggravated battery.

Terrazas is accused of fleeing police in a Chevrolet Tahoe on Feb. 7, 2017, and hitting and running over Arterburn as he was trying to deploy stop sticks.

Arterburn and his wife, Claudale, were in the courtroom, joined by a couple of other people including a uniformed Wichita police officer.

After Terrazas pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of methamphetamine and a count of fleeing and eluding, prosecutors asked the judge for a recess. They, the judge and Terrazas’ lawyer then left the courtroom followed by District Attorney Marc Bennett.

A few minutes later Bennett returned to the courtroom and motioned for Arterburn and his wife to follow him outside.

Several minutes later the judge returned to the courtroom and said the hearing would be continued at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Outside of the courtroom, Bennett was asked if Terrazas’ plea still stands.

“I can’t say anything about it until tomorrow at 2,” Bennett replied. “Sorry. I’m not trying to be coy.”

This story was originally published November 13, 2018 at 5:26 PM.