Man pleads not guilty to fleeing law enforcement, ramming cruisers in Waverly

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A man accused of ramming law enforcement vehicles after a chase in Waverly pleaded not guilty Tuesday to seven felonies.

Trenton Engel, 34, of Pleasant Dale waived his preliminary hearing in Lancaster County Court, and a judge sent the case to district court.

On Oct. 8, a woman reported that Engel had threatened to kill her, according to court documents.

Deputies with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office found him near Frontier Cooperative in Waverly.

SEE ALSO: Man accused in Waverly chase held on $500,000 bond

He sped off when they tried to pull him over, an arrest affidavit says, sending “a large plume of black smoke” out of his exhaust pipe.

That started a five-minute chase through Waverly, in which deputies say Engel drove over curbs and through fields.

Engel’s pickup truck came to a stop on Highway 6 near Amberly Road, and the affidavit says he started ramming law enforcement vehicles.

SEE ALSO: Trooper who fired shot after pursuit in Waverly is placed on administrative leave

He damaged five cruisers, according to the sheriff’s office, but no officers were seriously injured.

A Nebraska state trooper who was inside one the vehicles fired a shot but did not hit Engel.

Engel is charged with second-degree assault on an officer, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, resisting arrest using a deadly weapon, criminal mischief, terroristic threats and DUI.

His arraignment in Lancaster County District Court is set for Dec. 18.

SEE ALSO: Trooper fires shot after chase in Waverly; man rammed cruisers, sheriff’s office says