Chase ends after Wichita woman jumps in pond, police say

A 22-year-old Wichita woman went to jail soaked on Monday night after leading police on a car chase and then jumping into a pond in northeast Wichita.

Makenzie Marie Simmer was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding officers, auto theft, driving with a suspended license and several traffic violations.

Wichita Police Department Officer Charley Davidson said the chase started around 11:30 p.m. near 13th and Harding when an officer spotted a 2017 Honda Civic with an illegal tag.

Simmer, Davidson said, led officers on a chase that ended when she hit a pole and a tree. The wreck happened near a curve where Lawrence Lane and Rutland Street meets. That’s near 13th and Rock Road.

“Simmer then fled from the vehicle on foot and jumped into a nearby pond,” Davidson said. “Simmer was arrested after just a few minutes when exiting the pond.”

Davidson said the Honda was stolen overnight between Oct. 24 and 25 from a house on the 1900 block of South St. Francis.

This story was originally published November 5, 2019 at 11:36 AM.