Court record shows Kansas Senate majority leader drove 90 mph in wrong direction while drunk

TOPEKA — Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop was charged Friday with drunk driving and felony fleeing from police while traveling 90 mph in the wrong direction on Interstate 70 in Topeka.

The complaint filed in district court by the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office indicates the early morning escapade on March 16 ended after Suellentrop “willfully failed or refused” to stop for police.

The Wichita Republican was stopped by Kansas Highway Patrol officers after several 911 callers reported he was driving on the wrong side of the interstate. He was released from jail after a judge determined there was a problem with the arrest report.

The next day, Suellentrop announced he was transferring leadership duties to an assistant while resolving his legal matters.

He now faces a level nine felony for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving, and traffic infractions for driving the wrong way on a divided highway and speeding.

Read more: https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/26/court-record-shows-kansas-senate-majority-leader-drove-90-mph-evaded-roadblock/


Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop was booked Friday into Shawnee County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond. (Shawnee County Jail)