Chase on Interstate 380 reaches close to 100 mph before crash

A Marion man faces several charges after a police chase on Interstate 380 that reached speeds near 100 mph.

Joshua K. Conklin, 19, was arrested when the car he was driving slid into a ditch on County Home Road. No injuries were reported, police said.

Hiawatha Police Chief Dennis Marks said an officer spotted a car around 8:45 p.m. that was speeding in a westbound lane of Blairs Ferry Road. As a police officer pulled out to pursue the car, the driver took the on-ramp to northbound Interstate 380.

Marks said it appeared items were being thrown out of the car as it traveled north at speeds of up to 100 mph. Investigators had not been able to confirm what the items were, he said.

The car exited at County Home Road and went west before the driver lost control and crashed near North Troy Road. Conklin was identified as the driver, police said. Two female passengers were also in the car, but were released without charges.

Conklin was arrested on suspicion of eluding, driving with a suspended license, driving on the wrong side of a two-lane highway, failure to stop at a stop sign, reckless driving and speeding. He was taken to the Linn County Jail.