Cedar Rapids police chase ends with vehicle fire, suspect in custody

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids police arrested a Waterloo woman after a 15-minute chase Wednesday afternoon.

Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said an officer attempted to pull over Tonkeya V. Jackson, 37, around 12:15 p.m. on Highway 30 just west of the Interstate 380 exit after she was spotted going eastbound above the speed limit. Authorities said Jackson was going 80 mph and reached speeds of 120 mph during the pursuit that ensued.

The chase continued on Highway 30 to Mount Vernon, where a Mount Vernon police officer deployed stop sticks. At least one tire on the Honda Civic that Jackson was driving was deflated, but she was able to continue east on Highway 30 through Lisbon and Mechanicsville, Buelow said.

Authorities said Jackson's vehicle went off the road into a grassy area near some curves east of Mechanicsville. The Civic started on fire and Jackson attempted to flee on foot, Buelow said. She was taken into custody at 12:30 p.m.

The Mechanicsville Ambulance Service tended to Jackson, but she declined medical treatment, Buelow said. Charges are pending and she has been transported to the Linn County Jail.

Cedar Rapids police were assisted by the Mount Vernon, Lisbon and Mechanicsville police departments, Linn and Cedar county sheriffs' offices and the Iowa State Patrol. The Mechanicsville and Stanwood fire departments responded to put out the vehicle fire.

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