EL RENO, Okla. — El Reno Police set up a controlled bust early Wednesday morning, hoping to catch a suspect under investigation in a drug deal.
It turned into a wild scene; the man took officers on a high-speed chase, speeds reaching more than 100 miles per hour.
The chase ended in a crash on Highway 81, a very busy street.
Police used a tactical maneuver to force the suspect to crash into a barrier and tree before taking Karl Morlan into custody.
“It’s stupid, crazy. He must have been on drugs to act like that and put people’s’ lives in danger,” said Lee Hart, 25 year El Reno resident.
Neighbors like Lee Hart were shocked to see the commotion so close to home.
Police blocked off the intersection, Rock Island and Jenkins and towed away the damaged car.
“It varied in speeds from 125 miles per hour to 25-30 miles per hour trying to dodge officers in the neighborhoods,” said Lt. Sam Webster, El Reno Police Department.
Parts of the pursuit went right through the parking lot of Lucky Star Casino, but eventually the driver crashed.
“Complained of a head injury and was taking by ambulance to a hospital,” said Lt. Webster.
Hart said he’s used to hearing about drug cases in Canadian County, along the known drug trafficking route – I-40, but not here, right next to a school.
“You see all the kids and traffic around here, somebody could have died in that tragedy,” said Hart.
He said he’s thankful no innocent people were hurt, hoping crime stays out of his hometown.
“I just don’t want it around, here in Canadian County because that jail out there is full,” said Hart.
Morlan will be faced with charges relating to drugs, traffic violations and eluding police.
