The preliminary hearing for a 19-year-old Hutchinson man arrested after an accident back on July 25, is in recess till October 9, after the state had most of their witnesses testify in the case. But, one Hutchinson Police Officer who on his honeymoon was not available, so the hearing for Benjamin McKinney will resume next month.

Most of the testimony Wednesday centered on McKinney allegedly taking items from vehicles of employees of Portfolio Recovery Associates. Many of those who testified told the court that they had left the vehicles unlocked, even though they had valuables inside. In one case, a lot of cash, as much as 170 to 200-dollars was inside one of the victims vehicles.

There was one vehicle stolen allegedly by McKinney leading to the accident. McKinney was traveling at a high rate of speed when he rear ended another vehicle in the 700 block of East 11th.

It happened around 2:25 p-m, when he struck a pickup driven by 43-year-old Stephanie Lee Wood also of Hutchinson. Her vehicle then collided with a house at 721 E 11th. After the initial impact, the Explorer McKinney was driving collided with a tree between the east and west lanes on 11th.

McKinney was being pursued by the Hutchinson Police for the vehicle being a reported as a stolen from Portfolio. The officer ended the chase once it was clear McKinney wasn’t going to stop. He continued traveling at the high rate of speed until the accident occurred.

McKinney was taken to a Wichita hospital where he was admitted for a severe concussion. Wood was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for undetermined injuries and general neck and back pain.

In addition to the flee and elude charge, McKinney is also charged with five counts of auto burglary.

He remains jailed on 75-thousand dollar bond and again the hearing resumes on October 9.