Missouri Man Faces Child Endangerment Charges Following Street Race and Police Chase
In a shocking incident surfacing from Kansas City, Missouri, a man has been handed two child endangerment charges for allegedly involving two minors in a street race and a subsequent police pursuit. The accused has been identified as 27-year-old Nicholas Brit Engelhardt.
Detailed Incident Account
According to reports, the incident unfolded when Clay County deputies were tipped off about a street race and a probable side show. Following the lead, they ended up in a large parking lot situated to north of Route 210 near North Pleasant Avenue on June 16, Sunday.
On reaching the spot, deputies were greeted with a cloud of smoke engulfing the parking area. Upon careful observation, they identified several people displaying dangerous driving maneuvers and indulging in vehicle burnouts, all being witnessed by a large crowd of onlookers.
As soon as the deputies made their entry into the parking lot, people and vehicles scattered in different directions. Amidst the commotion, Engelhardt, driving a truck, narrowly missed hitting a deputy’s car.
The High-speed Chase
The officer immediately activated his lights and sirens and attempted to stop the speeding truck. However, Engelhardt, failing to comply, triggered a high-speed chase. As per court documents, the chase clocked speeds of up to 62 mph in a 40 mph zone.
In an attempt to deflate the truck’s tires and conclude the chase, a deputy deployed road spikes. Engelhardt managed to dodge the spikes by recklessly driving into the oncoming traffic. He continued violating traffic norms, ramping up his speed to an alarming 80 mph on the wrong side of the road.
The chase concluded when Engelhardt hit another set of road spikes, causing him to finally pull over.
The Shocking Discovery
Upon arresting Engelhardt, deputies found a woman, subsequently identified as Engelhardt’s fiancé, and two young girls, all unharmed, inside the truck. Following a review of the deputy’s body camera footage, it was revealed that the two children were not secured in booster seats or wearing seatbelts during the entire ordeal.
During a subsequent interview with the police, Engelhardt revealed that they went to the street races to pick up his brother. He claimed to have fled the scene upon the deputies’ arrival, driven by fear.
Nicholas Brit Engelhardt is scheduled to appear in court next month.
Public Reaction and Conclusion
The incident has caused immense shock and concern among local residents, prompting calls for stricter traffic regulations and increased surveillance in the area. This unfortunate event is a stark reminder of the inherent dangers associated with reckless driving and the need for adherence to traffic laws.
