Cedar Rapids man who crashed into bus faces new drug charges

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man who led deputies on a high-speed chase that ended in a multicar crash Tuesday, Feb. 10 now faces an additional felony drug charge.

James F. Surrett, 46, was charged Wednesday with felony possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine (penalty enhanced) and misdemeanor possession of a drug paraphernalia, according to the amended criminal complaint. He was previously charged with attempting to elude and driving while barred.

Surrett has a lengthy criminal history, according to the criminal complaint and online court records. He has prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine, possession of precursor with intent to manufacture meth, aiding and abetting the manufacturing of meth and possession of cocaine. He also has prior offenses of assault on peace officers and violation of parole.

A warrant has been issued for Surrett's arrest, according to the Cedar Rapids Police Department's Facebook page.

Assistant Linn County attorney Jason Besler said any time additional charges are filed, a defendant who has posted bond would have to come back into court, and a judge may alter the bond amount.

According to the sheriff's office, deputies tried to pull over Surrett on Highway 13 south of Mount Vernon Road Feb. 10, but Surrett refused and led deputies on a chase southbound on Highway 13 to Highway 30 and then westbound on Highway 30. The chase reached speeds of 100 mph, according to the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

The chase ended when Surrett went northbound on First Street SW near Riverside Park and collided nearly head-on with a truck and a Cedar Rapids Community School District bus. Four students and two staff members were on the bus at the time of the crash, but were not injured. The driver of the truck and her young child were taken to Mercy Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.