(Red Oak, IA) — On Friday afternoon, Red Oak police engaged in a car chase leading to injuries and multiple charges for an apparent drunken driver.
At 2:41 pm, the Montgomery Communications Center was notified by Mills County Communications that there was a silver sedan that was driving all over the road heading eastbound on Highway 34 from Emerson. Red Oak Police Officers located the vehicle at Highway 34 and G Ave. Officers attempted to make a traffic stop just west of the Highway 34, 48 intersection. However, the vehicle did not stop and increased its speed and travelled south on Broadway. Officers pursued the sedan south bond on Broadway and speeds went above 80 mph.
The pursuit continued south out of the Red Oak city limits and turned west on 223rd St. — the vehicle came to the intersection of 223rd St. and Gingko Ave and doubled back to Highway 48, then turned back north towards downtown Red Oak. The driver proceeded along several streets and finally struck a Red Oak police vehicle at South 5th Street and High St. It did not stop the sedan — instead the driver turned west onto Oakwood Ave at which point it struck another police vehicle and finally became disabled near South 2nd and Oakwood Ave.
Officers approached the vehicle and the driver refused to exit the sedan — he had to be physically removed. The chase lasted 22 minutes and police arrested 29 year old Juan Esquivel Jr. on the following charges: Eluding over 25 mph, Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense, 2 counts of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, 2 counts of Assault on a Peace Officer with a dangerous weapon, 2 counts of interference with Official Acts causing bodily injury, and Driving Under Suspension.
Two officers received minor injuries during the arrest. Two City of Red Oak Police Department patrol cars did sustain minor damage. The Red Oak Police Department was assisted in the pursuit by the Montgomery County Communications Center, Deputies of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
