Police: Driver went 120 mph down I-380 during chase

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man faces a host of traffic charges after leading police on a chase at speeds up to 120 mph early Saturday morning.

Ernest T. Gaston, 30, surrendered to officers around 1:50 a.m. on Saturday outside of Cedar Valley Townhomes, 3000 J St. SW.

About 20 minutes earlier, police responded to 3342 Oakland Rd. NE for a possible burglary in progress. They were told Gaston had been there, looking for another person, but didn't find the person. As Gaston was leaving, he was told the police were called, and he struck a picture window, police said.

A description of the vehicle was given to officers, who caught up with Gaston on southbound Interstate 380 at Diagonal Drive SW, but Gaston refused to pull over. According to the police report, Gaston exited at Wilson Avenue, but ran through a red light at Wilson and continued back onto the interstate.

Just south of 33rd Avenue SW, in a 60 mph zone, Gaston's vehicle was clocked at 120 mph, police said.

Gaston went west on Highway 30 and turned back north on Sixth Street SW, where officers clocked him at 80 mph. Stop sticks deployed at the railroad tracks popped two of Gaston's tires, but he kept driving, police said.

Gaston turned east on 33rd Avenue SW and blew a stop sign at the intersection with J Street SW. He stopped his car in the 2700 block of J Street SW, but then ran from police, but he stopped about 20 yards away from the car and was arrested, police said.

No one was injured in the incident.

Gaston faces numerous charges, including driving while barred, attempting to elude, third-degree criminal mischief and speeding.