State pays $5K to settle lawsuit over ISU police chase

The State Appeal Board on Tuesday was asked to approve paying $5,744 to a motorist hit by a former Iowa State University police officer in October during a car chase the officer was advised not to join, according to a tort claim and administrative law judge decision.

The uninvolved driver’s vehicle was more than halfway through the intersection of Oakland Street and Highland Avenue in Ames when the former ISU officer — still involved in the multi-agency pursuit — failed to stop at a stop sign and hit the vehicle in the intersection.

The officer hit the passenger rear corner of the other car “with such force the claimant’s vehicle left the roadway continuing west until striking an apartment building,” according to the claim.

The state is paying for the 2006 Ford Windstar — which was valued at $3,225 and deemed a total loss — plus the $841 for towing and $1,678 needed to rent another car.

“ISU police did not yield to claimant who had legally entered the intersection and was over halfway through the intersection at the point of impact.”

The officer was subsequently fired and ordered to return $2,328 in unemployment benefits she accrued.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com