Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service
Originally published on April 9, 2021 6:19 pm
This is a developing story. Updates to come.
TOPEKA, Kansas One of the top Republicans in the Kansas Senate is expected to step down from leadership after the release of more details of his drunken-driving arrest painted a picture of belligerence.
The Kansas Highway Patrol arrested Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop of Wichita last month for allegedly driving drunk and speeding the wrong way on Interstate 70 in Topeka.
This week, a highway patrol officer’s affidavit described cars swerving and then barely avoiding catastrophe on the highway in the early hours of March 16, the lawmaker racing to avoid police and later calling the officer “donut boy” and saying he could “take” him in a fight.
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Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop had a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit when he allegedly drove the wrong way on Interstate 70 while under the influence, according to affidavits obtained Thursday.
The documents give more insight into events during the early morning hours of March 16, when Suellentrop was stopped and arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol after allegedly evading law enforcement during a short pursuit.
In sworn testimony, the officer who stopped Suellentrop alleged he made physical threats while a blood test to determine his inebriation was conducted.
Gene Suellentrop taunts donut boy during blood
At one point, the 69-year-old said he could take Officer Austin Shepley, called him donut boy and said the events were all for going the wrong way.