Driver hospitalized after high-speed chase, crash in Hamilton County

HAMILTON COUNTY, Iowa — A driver was hospitalized after his vehicle crashed during a high-speed chase with Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputies over the weekend.

At around 4:53 p.m. on Saturday Hamilton County Dispatch received reports of a silver Chevy Cruze weaving in and out of traffic eastbound on Highway 20 near mile marker 133 at a high-rate of speed and almost causing several crashes.

Deputies located the Chevy Cruze on the shoulder of Highway 20 eastbound at the 139 mile marker. The sheriff’s office said deputies made contact with the driver and began an investigation into possible impairment when the driver drove off.

Deputies pursued the vehicle on Highway 20 and onto county roads just south of the highway.

According to the sheriff’s office, the driver didn’t stop at several stop signs and nearly hit multiple vehicles head-on. During the pursuit speeds reached over 100 mph.

The driver lost control of his vehicle when attempting to turn onto a gravel road, causing the vehicle to roll near the intersection of Stagecoach Road and Big Bear Road, the sheriff’s office said.

The driver, 33-year-old Jared Ahrens from Kelley, was initially transported to a hospital in Webster City, but was transferred to a Des Moines hospital via air ambulance for his injuries. His condition is not known at this time.

The sheriff’s office said the crash is still under investigation and charges are pending.

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