The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating a New Year’s Eve incident in Webster County in which a fleeing motorist died after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement.
The incident began shortly after 10 p.m. near Fort Dodge, when a caller reported a domestic disturbance, according to a statement issued by Webster County Chief Deputy Sheriff Rod Strait.
A Webster County deputy responded and tried to make a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the vehicle described by the caller, but the vehicle “attempted to avoid law enforcement agencies,” Strait said.
“During the attempted stop, gun shots came from the suspect vehicle that was avoiding law enforcement,” Strait said. “Law enforcement at the scene returned gun fire.”
The suspect vehicle then led law enforcement on a pursuit that ended when the vehicle left the roadway on Iowa Highway 175 between Harcourt and Dayton and entered a field.
“Law enforcement agencies secured the area around the vehicle,” Strait said, “and when the vehicle was approached, the suspect was found to be deceased inside the vehicle.”
The name of the dead person will not be released until relatives are notified, said DCI Special Agent in Charge Mike Krapfl. He said the results of the investigation will be sent to the Webster County Attorney’s office for review.
The Webster County Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Calhoun County Sheriff’s office, Hamilton County Sheriff’s office, Boone County Sheriff’s office, Dayton Police Department, Gowrie Police Department and the Fort Dodge Police Department.
