An Emporia man was charged with first-degree murder and more than 25 other counts after a fatal collision occurred while he was trying to flee from police

KANSAS – According to the police officials, his name is Devawn Mitchell and he is being held in the Lyon County Detention Center on $1 million bond after his arrest.

Other charges against Mitchell include an alternative count of second-degree murder, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and numerous fleeing and traffic charges.

The chase began when Mitchell swerved at a marked patrol car, forcing the officer to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Officers tracked Mitchell but broke off two pursuits because he was speeding and running stop signs on city streets.

Eventually, Mitchell rear-ended a pickup truck, which went airborne and hit a power pole, police said. The pickup’s driver, Steven Henry, 64, of Emporia, was pronounced dead at the scene.