A 23-year-old Hutchinson man involved in a police chase on December 6, 2011, and who enter into a plea agreement in the case was denied a downward departure by Judge Tim Chambers Friday and sentenced to 57-months in prison.

Jason Thiel entered guilty pleas to one of two counts of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer while the second was dropped. He also entered a plea to aggravated assault, interference with law enforcement, two counts of criminal damage and misdemeanor theft charge.

The charges of flee and elude, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended and no proof of insurance were dropped by the state as part of the agreement.

Thiel was reportedly in a stolen vehicle and leading police on two chases, and at one point, allegedly ramming two police cruisers and attempting to run over officer Terry Martin. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson told the judge that he missed Martin by inches, and rammed his police vehicle so hard, it broke an axle. He also came close to being shot according to Davidson, but Officer Martin chose not to fire at the last minute.

Defense Attorney Alice Osburn argued that Thiel never intended to harm anyone and was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident.

Even with Thiel being given the 57-months in prison, he will not serve that entire time in prison. He’s been in the Reno County Jail since December of 2011 and he will get credit for time served.