Pursuit in Linn County Ends in Fatal Crash

A Linn County Sheriff's Deputy tried to stop a vehicle in rural Linn County Monday, but the driver instead took off. Around 15 minutes after it started, the pursuit ended with the suspect's vehicle losing control and crashing into a tree. The driver was killed and two others were injured.

The sheriff's deputy tried to stop a white, 2013 Chevy Cruze on Covington Road near Lone Tree Road, south of Palo at around 3:40 this afternoon. Instead of pulling over, the driver led the deputy in a vehicle pursuit.

In a press release, Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner states the occupants of the vehicle were seen tossing items from the vehicle during the pursuit, which traveled over both gravel and paved roads. The pursuit covered parts of both Linn and Benton counties. Troopers from the Iowa State Patrol helped Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies in the pursuit, as other agencies tried to position themselves to deploy tire deflation devices.

The pursuit ended in Benton County, at the corner of 26th Avenue and St. Clair Street in Watkins, about 15 minutes after it had started. It was at that time that the driver lost control and struck a tree.

The driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene while two passengers were taken to area hospitals, one of them suffering from possible life-threatening injuries.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident and the Iowa State Patrol is investigating the collision. No further information is available at this time.

[via Linn County Sheriff's Office]