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Fairfield man arrested after high-speed chase, crashing into cemetery
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
FAIRFIELD – A Fairfield man was arrested Thursday after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through town that ended only after the car rolled and came to rest in Evergreen Cemetery.
According to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, 20-year-old Keagen Kopp of Fairfield was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated first offense, eluding, driving while revoked, and reckless driving with a $5,000 bond.
The news release indicated that a Jefferson County Deputy observed a white passenger car traveling at a high rate of speed on Second Street in Fairfield at 8:37 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18. The car was heading south toward Burlington Avenue, and that’s when the deputy initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Main Street and Burlington Avenue. However, the vehicle failed to stop, and continued eastbound on Burlington at a high rate of speed.
The news release stated that the vehicle turned north onto D Street, and blew through two stop signs before crashing into Evergreen Cemetery at D Street and Stone Avenue, rolling and coming to rest on its top.
“The car was traveling at speeds over 70 miles per hour,” stated the criminal complaint filed that day by the deputy. “The driver admitted to drinking and was taken into custody.”
Evergreen Cemetery Superintendent Matt Nelson told The Union that the crash damaged at least five or six headstones, including one that was “quite large.”
“We’re thinking it caused at least $50,000 worth of damages, once we get quotes on replacements,” Nelson said. “The first one he hit flew probably 40 feet. We’re not sure yet if this gentleman has insurance.”
Nelson said now is not a good time for the cemetery to be saddled with extra expenses, considering it just wrapped up a campaign to raise money for a new backhoe expected to cost $70,000.
“We’re trying to do everything we can for the cemetery, and this takes time away from other things,” he said. “We’ll just do the best we can to correct everything and go from there.”
According to criminal records accessed at Iowa Courts Online, Kopp was arrested in Henry County in September for operating while intoxicated first offense. The news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also indicated that, after his arrest on Dec. 18, Kopp was subsequently released.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Fairfield Police Department, Fairfield Fire Department and Jefferson County Ambulance.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
