Man arrested after Interstate 380 pursuit

Police followed an impaired driver for several miles Friday on Interstate 380 before he eventually stopped, authorities said.

David Welch, 39, of Cedar Falls, was arrested and charged with failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Authorities said more charges are possible, depending on results of a urine test.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said a deputy was leaving work around 5 p.m. Friday when he noticed a vehicle weaving in the northbound lanes as the interstate twists through downtown Cedar Rapids. The driver did not pull over, and several police squad cars joined the pursuit as it went north out of Cedar Rapids.

The driver, later identified as Welch, eventually stopped north of the Tower Terrace Road overpass. Gardner said Welch was impaired, but was not under the influence of alcohol.

Speeds did not exceed 65 mph during the pursuit, Gardner said. No one was injured and no damage was reported.

Welch was taken to the Linn County Jail. The incident caused a traffic jam in the northbound lanes.