The Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office has released new details about a high‑speed pursuit that happened earlier this month and ended in a rollover crash near Laurens.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident occurred on May 18th, but the information was made public yesterday.
Deputies say the pursuit began around 11:04 a.m. when a deputy located 43‑year‑old Jonathan Edward Meier of Omaha, Nebraska, at a rural farm residence on 140th Avenue, six-and-a-half miles south of Laurens. Meier was wanted for questioning in a May 10th burglary and theft investigation.
Authorities report that Meier fled the property in a black 2005 Chevy Silverado, driving through a field and refusing to stop. Deputies pursued him for several miles into Laurens, where the chase continued through town.
During the pursuit, Meier drove onto the railroad tracks and traveled roughly two blocks along the rails. When he attempted to exit the tracks, he lost control of the pickup, causing it to roll. Meier was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.
He was taken by Pocahontas Ambulance to a medical facility for treatment of his injuries. The sheriff’s office says criminal charges and traffic violations are pending.
Agencies assisting in the pursuit and crash response included the Pocahontas and Laurens Police Departments, the Iowa State Patrol, the Laurens Fire Department and Union Pacific Railroad.
