Police chase ends with deer hurt, car damaged

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn County authorities said a Swisher man was drunk when he led them on a 10-minute chase near Cedar Rapids early Thursday morning.

Travis W. Young, 33, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated, attempting to elude, third-degree burglary and several traffic charges after stop sticks punctured tires on his sport-utility vehicle, authorities said. No one was injured in the chase.

Deputies responded around 12:25 a.m. to a report of a suspicious vehicle at a cabin at 6768 Andrle Trail. An SUV was seen leaving the scene, and a pursuit ensued, at speeds of up to 80 mph, authorities said.

The driver took Old River Road along the Cedar River, turned south onto Ely Road and made his way to Highway 30.

"The pursuit car did hit a deer during the chase, but was able to continue the chase," Sheriff Brian Gardner said. "He had just made a turn off of East Road onto Highway 30 and wasn't going very fast, thankfully. The deer came out of the north ditch and ran right into him."

Gardner said the collision with the deer did damage to the bumper, hood and grill, but did not disable the squad car. The chase continued east on Highway 30 for less than a half-mile before the driver turned south onto Ivanhoe Road, where his tires deflated about a mile later.

Young is accused of stealing hunting equipment, a sleeping bag and tools valued at $600 from the cabin before the chase. Gardner said Young caused about $1,000 in damage to the residence by forcing his way inside.

Young was taken to the Linn County Jail, where he remained Thursday afternoon in lieu of $15,000 bond.