Iowa City man accused of eluding in stolen vehicle

IOWA CITY - An Iowa City man is accused of leading authorities on a chase in a stolen vehicle.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, sometime on March 18, 52-year-old Daniel T. Cockerham stole a vehicle in Iowa City. Around 2 p.m. that afternoon, Cockherham got into a crash and was called in multiple times for other crashes, authorities said.

The sheriff's office said Cockerham drove through a soccer field at one point, as well.

Cockerham was involved in another crash at the 237 mile marker on Interstate 80 and a deputy found the vehicle leaving the interstate. Authorities said the deputy tried to pull Cockerham over, but he attempted to evade arrest by speeding and running stop signs. He nearly was involved in several more crashes, the sheriff's office said.

The chase ended in Iowa County after stop sticks were deployed and Cockerham was taken into custody. Testing at the University of Iowa Department of Public Safety, include an evaluation by a drug recognition expert, showed that Cockerham was under the influence of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. He was arrested and faces charges of eluding, a Class D felony; and operating under the influence, a serious misdemeanor.

Cockherham remains in custody in the Muscatine County Jail on a $7,500 cash or surety bond.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com