Linn County officials are searching for a suspect involved in a chase that ended near Mount Verson Monday. Just after 12:30 AM, a Linn County Sheriff Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop with a speeding motorist on Highway 13 southbound near Mount Vernon Road. The driver attempted to evade the Deputy by turning off their headlights on their Dodge Charger and accelerating to speeds up to 135 MPH. The pursuit continued southbound on Highway 13 turning eastbound onto Highway 30 toward Mount Vernon. Officers with the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department were able to deploy spike strips as the Dodge Charger neared their city limits and the pursuit ended at the exit ramp from Highway 30 and Lisbon Blvd when the Charger crashed. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Deputies, Iowa State Patrol and other police departments did not find the driver, but the suspect has been identified. The pursuit and accident are still under investigation and eluding and traffic charges are pending.
