High-speed chase leads officers through city streets

MT. PLEASANT — Tuesday, April 6, just before 5 p.m. Henry County Sheriff Deputy Arturo Perez conducted a traffic stop near East Henry and North Lee streets due to a stop sign traffic violation at the intersection of North Wohller and East Mapleleaf drives.

According to a news release from the Henry County Sheriff Office, Andrea Hay, 31, of Brighton, fled the traffic stop scene and a pursuit ensued.

Deputy Perez details the stop in the criminal complaint submitted to the Henry County Court.

According to the complaint, Perez informed Hay of the reason for the stop, Hay provided her license and registration, but could not provide proof of insurance.

“It should be noted as I was speaking with Andrea, I observed a moderate odor of what I could identify as Marijuana through my training, knowledge, and experience, emitting from the vehicle,” Perez states in the criminal complaint.

According to Perez, after running Hay’s information, he asked her to step out of the vehicle.

The criminal complaint states that Hay verbally refused to exit the vehicle with expletive language.

“Andrea then placed the vehicle into drive and sped off in a manner that caused the vehicle's tires to lose traction with the pavement and caused a squealing sound at a high rate of speed,” Perez detailed in the document. “Andrea also stated, ‘Bye,’ as she sped off.”

According to Perez’s report, he then turned-on emergency lights and sirens and pursued Hay.

“With the assistance of the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and the Iowa State Patrol, Henry County Deputies pursued the vehicle through several city streets within Mt. Pleasant and eventually onto county roads,” the Henry County Sheriff Office’s news release stated.

Perez states that during the pursuit, Hay drove at an excess of 25 mph over the speed limit.

“At one point Andrea was paced at approximately 105 miles per hour,” Perez wrote in his report.” It's important to note as Andrea was driving through city streets that are heavily populated to include a school zone, she crossed over into the oncoming lane prior to a railroad track while passing a vehicle in a no passing zone without due regard to other drivers.”

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Law Enforcement eventually terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns for the driver, and other motorists, on the roadway. No injuries came from this pursuit.

Henry County deputies later located Hay.

“Resulting from the investigation Andrea Hay was charged with Eluding — Speed Over 25 Over Limit (Aggravated Misdemeanor), Interference With Official Acts (Serious Misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (Non-Scheduled Violation), and cited for Unsafe Passing, Speeding (55 or Under Zone — 21 or Over), Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, and Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way,” Henry County Sheriff’s Office stated.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com