Laurel man arrested after fleeing traffic stop

STANTON - A Laurel man has been arrested after he allegedly fled during a traffic stop in Wayne County.

Austin Warburton, 19, was apprehended in Norfolk last week. According to the Stanton County sheriffs office, Warburton was driving a motorcycle when he fled a traffic stop in Wayne County near Hoskins Oct. 19.

The fleeing motorcycle was observed entering Stanton County on Highway 35 driving with no headlights or taillights at high speed, said Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger.

A pursuit was initiated as the motorcycle continued south on Highway 35 and continued to accelerate at high speeds. The motorcycle then entered the four-lane portion of the highway and began driving southbound in the northbound lanes against oncoming traffic. The motorcycle continued driving south and then drove through the east ditch onto Old Highway 35 and entered Woodland Park, Unger said.

The motorcycle was then abandoned, and the operator fled on foot. About 45 minutes after the initial stop in Wayne County, the driver was identified as Warburton and he was taken into custody near his Norfolk residence.

Warburton was arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving and no motorcycle operator’s license.