A suspect in a high speed chase Thursday evening, Jan. 10, abandoned this car on Highway 41 near Arrow Rock. The suspect fled on foot and is still at large as of Friday morning, Jan. 11. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Saline County Sheriff's deputy Brad O'Neal was involved in a high-speed chase early Thursday evening, Jan. 10, near Arrow Rock, when a car sought by officers in a hit-and-run accident in Boonville turned off Interstate 70 onto Missouri Highway 41.

As the car passed the intersection of Highway 41 and County Route E, O'Neal, who happened to be in the area, initiated pursuit and reported the car was traveling at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, weaving in and out of traffic and driving on the wrong side of the road.

As the suspect's car crested a hill, O'Neal reduced his speed. The suspect stopped his car just past the top of the hill, turned off the lights and fled south on foot. O'Neal, unable to stop in time, crashed into the rear of the car, which was still in the roadway.

A passenger in the suspect's car was not injured.

Ambulance and fire personnel were dispatched to the scene. Sheriff Wally George reported Friday morning, Jan. 11, that although O'Neal was "bruised and banged up," he was not seriously injured. There was damage to both the rear of the car being pursued and the front of the deputy's car.

The driver of the car, thought by law officers to be Omar Castaneda, was still at large Friday morning.

According to Saline County Sheriff's Deputy Wilma Garrett, Castaneda turned himself in to the department at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11. He has been charged with a class D felony of resisting arrest and a class B felony of assault on a law enforcment officer.

Castaneda is being held at the Saline County Justice Facility on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net