PHOTOS: Woman arrested after allegedly hitting officer with car door, seven mile car chase

Posted: February 4, 2015 - 3:03am
Updated: May 1, 2015 - 1:40am

Update:

Johnson County booking logs show that Amber Shafer was released from jail on Monday, April 27th. Court records show that she is now on house arrest and being monitored by GPS after posting $10,000 bond.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 5th at 4:30 p.m.

Original report:

A 27-year-old, Kansas City, Kan., woman is facing a charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer after hitting an officer with an open car door in the Shawnee Hy-Vee parking lot and then leading officers on a nearly seven-mile car chase early Wednesday.

Major Dan Tennis says a Shawnee officer initiated a parking complaint at Hy-Vee, 13550 West 63rd Street, around 12:40 a.m.

Minutes later that same officer was calling a vehicle pursuit after the driver sped away with a door open, hitting the officer, according to Major Dan Tennis.

"She [the officer] was not knocked down, she held onto the door to keep her balance," Tennis said. "She was not injured, although I am sure she will be sore when she wakes up."

Amber Renee Shafer, 27
Johnson County Sheriff's Office booking photo

Johnson County Court records show that Amber Shafer was later charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, fleeing law enforcement officers, possession of drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. Three felonies and a misdemeanor.

Officers calling the pursuit over the radio reported speeds of nearly 70 miles-per-hour on 63rd Street near Lackman. The suspect vehicle was also reported to be driving without any lights on.

Shafer sped to the dead-end of 63rd Street, west of Maurer Road, where she struck a tree before speeding back towards pursuing officers on the narrow street, according to reports.

A police supervisor near 63rd and Maurer was able to throw out a spike strip in front of the suspect car. The supervisor reported that he thought he hit one of the car's tires.

The woman then led officers south on Maurer Road to Shawnee Mission Parkway and then westbound to Interstate 435.

Police and EMS on I-435 near K-32 where the pursuit ended
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On northbound Interstate 435, the driver accelerated to nearly 90 miles-per-hour over the Kansas river bridge into Wyandotte County.

The pursuit ended just south of Kansas Highway 32, with the suspect's 2000 Ford Taurus going down a steep embankment on the eastside of Interstate 435. Shafer allegedly jumped from the car as it rolled down the embankment and tried to run from officers, according to police. She was quickly taken into custody.

Shawnee Police and Edwardsville EMS outside of the hospital
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Edwardsville EMS responded to the scene and transported the woman to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Her injuries were described as non-life threatening and were related to jumping from the moving car.

Officers from Edwardsville and Kansas City, Kansas, were also out at the crash scene with Shawnee officers.

Shafer was released from the hospital around 4 a.m. and then booked into the Johnson County Adult Detention Center just after 4:30 a.m.

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