Chase that ended in fatality reached speeds of 100 mph

BENTON COUNTY - A pursuit that ended in a fatality reached speeds over 100 mph started with a speeding violation, but quickly became a possible drug investigation, authorities said Tuesday.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said his deputy was operating in accordance with department policy when the officer initiated a pursuit with 32-year-old David A. Janish Monday afternoon. The chase ended when Janish crashed into a tree in Watkins. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

'The deputy was able to advise over the radio the reason for the initiation of the traffic stop, that items were being thrown out during the traffic stop,” Gardner said Tuesday. 'And he was also able to provide information on the traffic conditions. He was operating in accordance with our policy.”

According to the sheriff's office and Iowa State Patrol, the Linn County deputy attempted to pull over Janish for speeding around 3:40 p.m. Monday near Covington and Lone Tree roads, south of Palo. Rather than stop, Janish took off and a pursuit began.

The sheriff's office said the occupants of the vehicle - Janish; 36-year-old Wesley P. Schmelzer, Jr., of Cedar Rapids; and 21-year-old Alisha L. Miller, of Atkins - were throwing items from the vehicle during the chase.

'The items at the time appeared to be precursor items for the manufacture of methamphetamine,” Gardner said.

The pursuit took authorities - including the state patrol - over gravel and paved roads in Benton and Linn counties. Gardner said speeds on Highway 30 reached more than 100 mph.

The traffic volume at the time - which Gardner described as 'minimal” on the gravel roads and 'medium” on Highway 30 - did not require the deputy terminate the pursuit, he said.

Officers from other agencies attempted to deploy devices to deflate Janish's tires. However, those efforts were not successful and Janish's tires were not damaged, Gardner said.

The chase ended about 15 minutes after it began when Janish hit a tree near the intersection of 26th Avenue and St. Clair Street in Watkins.

Janish was pronounced dead at the scene. Schmelzer was taken to Mercy Medical Center by Area Ambulance and Miller was airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for Janish's car and 'items of interest” were found inside, Gardner said.

'Our investigation continues based on the identity of those items,” he said.

The crash remains under investigation.