Authorities locate, arrest man involved in school bus crash

CEDAR RAPIDS - A man wanted in connection with additional charges after crashing into a school bus earlier this month is back in custody.

A release from the Linn County Sheriff's Office says James Surrett was arrested without incident at the Budget Inn, 3100 16th Street SW, just after 7 p.m. Monday by members of the United States Marshal Service, with help from Linn County deputies, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Surrett, 46, was arrested after leading deputies on a chase which exceeded 100 miles per hour at times after law enforcement initially tried to pull him over for a traffic violation in the area of Highway 13 and Mount Vernon Road. The chase ended when Surrett crashed into a pickup truck and then a school bus on First Avenue West near the Cedar River. None of the four students or three staff members on the bus were hurt. The driver of the truck that was hit did spend several days in the hospital.

He posted bail on charges of attempting to elude, driving while barred and possession of drugs and was released. However, a new warrant was issued for his arrest on Friday after additional charges were filed.

At the time, Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Besler said a defendant would have to reappear in court and a judge could adjust his bond amount.

Surrett is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning on the new charges, according to the Linn County Sheriff's Office.