Keota man arrested, charged with numerous driving infractions

WASHINGTON — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that 61-year-old Keota man, Thomas Thompson, was arrested after turning himself in on no fewer than nine warrants on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Court records show a litany of citations issued to Thompson in early December. The list includes allegedly eluding officers at more than 25 mph above the speed limit, driving while barred, failures to use a turn signal, careless and reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, operating a non-registered vehicle, and running stop signs.

A criminal complaint filed by a Washington County deputy claims the officer flipped on his lights to pull Thompson over for an expired registration and failure to maintain lanes near the intersection of Ginkgo Avenue and 140th Street in Wellman on Dec. 2, but that Thompson eluded the officer, then intentionally crashed his car into the police vehicle, then again fled the scene at over 105 mph: more than double the speed limit.

“(Thompson) did operate his vehicle in a careless manner causing his vehicle to skid and slide upon sudden acceleration and braking during the pursuit,” said a criminal complaint filed by Deputy Ethan Hansen. “The above defendant also drove his vehicle in a wanton disregard for the safety of persons and property by running multiple stop signs and … causing a traffic accident.”

The accused has previous convictions for eluding law enforcement according to court records, and has pleaded guilty to at least four unrelated counts of driving while barred since 2016. Another handful of charges against him for criminal mischief and driving while barred remain unresolved from an incident in West Chester last July.

Officers on a few court dockets referred to Thompson as someone they were already “familiar with from previous calls and traffic stops.”

Thompson is scheduled for preliminary hearings on the charges from both December and July on Jan. 19 at the Washington County Courthouse. A Washington County Call For Service log released Thursday said his bond was set at $19,400.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com