Hiawatha woman who led police on high speed chase faces more charges

CORALVILLE - A Hiawatha woman who led police on a high-speed chase through Linn and Johnson counties last week faces more charges.

On June 20 around 12:34 p.m., Cedar Rapids police attempted to pull over 46-year-old Kristi L. Rasmussen when a Department of Corrections officer recognized her and knew her to be an escapee from the Hinzman Center, a residential center. Instead of pulling over, Rasmussen led police on a high-speed chase through parts of Cedar Rapids, including the NewBo neighborhood.

Rasmussen's reckless driving led police to call of the chase.

Police said Rasmussen resurfaced in Coralville around 1:55 p.m. According to Iowa State Patrol criminal complaints made available after Rasmussen was booked at the Johnson County Jail on Wednesday, a state trooper found Rasmussen's unoccupied 2003 Grand Marquis in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Rasmussen was observed by the trooper returning to her vehicle and she refused commands to unlock and get out of her car, police said. Police said Rasmussen started her car and accelerated toward the trooper, nearly hitting him and pinning him between the car and a shopping cart return.

A pursuit ensued on westbound Interstate 80 and northbound Interstate 380. Authorities said Rasmussen reached speeds of 110 mph in the 70 mph zone on 380 and in the 55 mph construction zone on the Highway 965 and Iowa River bridges.

During the chase, Rasmussen passed vehicles on the right and left shoulders and wove between vehicles while straddling the centerline, 'all at speeds in excess of 100 mph,” according to the state patrol.

Rasmussen was stopped on 380 between Highway 30 and the airport exit after stop sticks were deployed. At the time, Cedar Rapids public safety spokesman Greg Buelow said Rasmussen would face charges of eluding, speeding and failure to obey traffic signals or control devices. Her charges in Johnson County now include interference with official acts with a dangerous weapon, assault on persons in certain occupations while using or displaying a weapon and eluding while participating in a felony. All three charges are Class D felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.