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Iowa state lawmaker Joshua Meggers injured in crash while on duty as state patrolman
Meggers’ patrol vehicle was struck head-on at the end of officers’ pursuit of a Grundy Center man
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Iowa State Patrolman and state Rep. Joshua Meggers sustained “non-life-threatening” injuries after his patrol car was hit head-on at the end of a 90-minute high-speed chase last week.
The crash came at the end of the pursuit of an allegedly intoxicated Grundy Center man on Friday, Oct. 3.
Meggers, a Republican from Grundy Center, was transported to MercyOne Hospital in Waterloo by ambulance after being hit by Cory David DeVries, 24, who was airlifted to University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center with serious injuries, according to Iowa State Patrol.
The Iowa State Patrol alleges DeVries led law enforcement in a pursuit last Friday night, beginning at 9 p.m. in Grundy County.
The chase ended at 10:34 p.m. when DeVries, driving a 2007 Monte Carlo south in the northbound lane of the 1800 block of Sergeant Road/Highway 63 near Hudson, collided head-on with Meggers' marked Iowa State Patrol Chevrolet Tahoe, which had its emergency lights activated.
Meggers was elected to the Iowa House in 2022 and is serving his second term in the chamber representing Iowa District 54, which covers Hardin and Grundy counties, as well as part of Black Hawk County. He serves as the vice chair of the House Labor and Workforce Committee.
Iowa lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, offered words of support following the crash.
“I’m grateful to our law enforcement officers for risking their lives to protect others,” Feenstra wrote on X. “Wishing Patrolman Meggers a speedy recovery.”
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand also addressed the crash.
“Thanks to our law enforcement folks out there trying to keep us safe, and prayers for a quick recovery for Josh Meggers,” Sand wrote on X.
Iowa state Rep. Mike Vondran, R-Davenport, extended support to Meggers and his family while thanking Iowa law enforcement officers.
“An Iowa House colleague, Josh Meggers, when not serving the legislature bravely (wears) the uniform of the Iowa State Highway Patrol,” Vondran wrote on social media. “Last evening while in pursuit Josh was involved in a high speed accident. Thankfully he is home recuperating, by the grace of God. Please send good thoughts his way for recovery.”
Charges against DeVries are pending as of Monday afternoon.
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