NORTH LIBERTY — A man accused of leading police on a lengthy vehicle chase two months ago, hitting speeds up to 115 mph, was arrested Wednesday at his home.
Police attempted to pull over Steven Lee Myers, 29, of North Liberty about 10 p.m. March 18 around the Golfview Mobile Home Court, according to arrest reports and police information. The registered owner of the vehicle, a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire, had a suspended license.
Myers refused to stop and eluded police, driving on the opposite shoulder on Highway 6 near Kent Park, accelerating toward an officer deploying ”stop sticks” on the road, and then slamming on his brakes in the middle of the road, according to the reports. Police said he caused $8,200 in damages to a patrol car when it collided with him.
The chase continued for about 30 minutes. Police said Myers was speeding, cresting hills on the wrong side of the road, and blowing through traffic control devices.
Authorities called off the chase near 500th Street without apprehending Myers, but later found the Pontiac along with a bag of methamphetamine in the car, according to a police report. Police investigated using video of area businesses, phone records and vehicle registration information, North Liberty Police Chief Diane Venenga said in an email.
Police identified the driver and obtain a warrant, leading to his arrest at 5 a.m., Wednesday at his home on Golfview Court.
Myers was charged with three class D felonies, including eluding, second-degree criminal mischief and assault on people in certain occupations. He also is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor; failure to obey a stop sign and yield the right of way; speeding; leaving the scene of an accident; driving with a suspended, canceled or revoked license; reckless driving; unsafe stopping; depositing and throwing littering on the highway; failure to obey traffic control devices; and driving on the wrong side of the highway.
During the chase, Myers threw a pair of jeans out the car window in the middle of the road on Ireland Ave NW in Tiffin, leading to the littering charge.
“We can only speculate on why he tossed the pants,” Venenga said.
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