Police fish two people out of Cedar River following high speed chase

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man and woman led police on a high-speed chase early Friday through Linn and Johnson counties before driving the car into the Cedar River. They then attempted to wade or swim to the other side, but officers were waiting to arrest them.

Kyle Netolicky, 26, previously convicted for eluding in January, was charged Friday in Linn County District Court with eluding while exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more — enhanced for second offense, a felony; driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor; OWI, a serious misdemeanor; and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor.

Haily Marie-Lynn Johnson, 24, of Palo, was charged with interference with officials acts, a simple misdemeanor.

Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop about 12:28 a.m. Friday on a vehicle driven by Netolicky at 33rd Avenue SW and Sixth Street SW, in Cedar Rapids, but Netolicky didn’t stop and led officers on a high-speed chase, reaching speeds up to 100 mph, according to a criminal complaint.

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He then ran a red light on Sixth Street SW and Waconia Avenue and led officers to 120th Street NW, through Swisher in Johnson County, to Falcon Avenue and then onto Amana Road, going around multiple road closed signs, the complaint stated.

Netolicky continued to elude officers by driving on Cou Falls Road NW to Marak Road and got onto I-380, reaching speeds 25 mph or more above the posted speed limit.

The pursuit ended on Old River Road SW in Cedar Rapids, when Netolicky drove the car into the Cedar River and he and Johnson waded across the river where officers were waiting and arrested them, according to the complaint.

An Iowa Department of Transportation record showed Netolicky was barred from driving. He also admitted to police that he was using methamphetamine and officers believed he was under the influence of drugs.

A search warrant was obtained to test his blood for intoxication, the complaint stated.

Netolicky has previous convictions for eluding, assault and theft.

Police said Johnson was also wanted for outstanding warrants.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com