Motorcycle chase terminated after passenger ejected

CEDAR RAPIDS - A pursuit with a motorcycle was called off Wednesday night after the passenger was thrown off the vehicle.

According to the Linn County Sheriff's Office, a deputy attempted to pull over a motorcycle that had been speeding in the area of First Avenue and 25th Street Drive NE around 6:50 p.m. However, authorities said the motorcycle driver - who had a passenger on the back of the bike - sped off instead. A pursuit ensued, with other deputies and the Cedar Rapids Police Department joining in, the sheriff's office said.

Police said during the chase the motorcycle driver nearly hit a sheriff's office squad car at the intersection of Richmond Road NE and Lawrence Street NE. The female passenger was ejected from the motorcycle at the intersection of Richmond and Center Point roads when the driver nearly crashed going around a corner, authorities said.

The passenger, 24-year-old Alyssa Powills, of Cedar Rapids, suffered minor injuries, the sheriff's office said. She denied knowing the motorcycle driver.

Authorities called off the chase at 7:01 p.m. without capturing the driver. The man was wearing dark-colored clothing and a black full-face helmet. The motorcycle is described as a dark, 'racing style” motorcycle with no license plate.

Anyone with information on the identity of the motorcycle driver is asked to call the sheriff's office at 319-398-3911. The investigation is ongoing and charges are pending, authorities said.