Keokuk police make arrest after another chase

KEOKUK - On February 22, 2025, at approximately 12:57 AM, a Keokuk Police Officer observed several traffic violations by a white pickup truck traveling between the 1400 and 1100 blocks of Main Street. The officer initiated a traffic stop by activating emergency lights. However, the driver of the vehicle, who was the sole occupant, abruptly turned off Main Street and accelerated rapidly. The officer activated the emergency siren in response, but the driver ignored both the lights and sirens, leading officers on a pursuit through the city.
The driver led officers on this pursuit on South 10th Street, onto Missouri Avenue, turning onto I Street, turning onto Oak Street, and then turning onto J Street. The driver would strike a telephone pole on J Street. He would then reverse course and lead officers onto Palean Street, taking Palean Street to McKinley Avenue, where he would continue until reaching Main Street. He would turn east on Main and immediately turn onto Belknap Blvd and then onto Washington Street. The driver took Washington to Orleans Avenue and would eventually end up traveling east on Grand Avenue. He ignored the stop sign at 5th and Grand Avenue, attempting to make a left hand turn at a high rate of speed. He would lose control of the vehicle, striking a sign, and then continuing east where the vehicle left the roadway and went over the bluff near 4th and Orleans.
A Keokuk officer exited his patrol unit and went over the bluff to assist the driver while simultaneously calling for medical assistance to the scene. The driver of truck was ejected from the vehicle and discovered underneath of the truck, which had come to a rest on two wheels. The officer pulled the driver from under the vehicle. Officers then escorted the driver to the top of the bluff to receive medical treatment.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Douglas Kent Smith, 59 of Keokuk. Smith was discovered to have multiple warrants for his arrest from other jurisdictions and a barred driving status. Smith was transported to a medical facility to receive treatment for injuries received from the crash. Smith has additional pending charges related to this investigation.
Smith was released from the hospital on Wednesday and was taken to Lee County Jail to await a hearing. He was charged with Eluding-2^nd Offense, a class C felony, Driving While Barred, an aggravated misdemeanor, and Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd or Subsequent Offense, a class D felony. Smith was also issued a significant amount of traffic citations related to the pursuit. In addition to the aforementioned charges, Smith was arrested on two outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Following the incident Saturday, a narcotics-certified K9 unit from the Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and alerted to the vehicle, prompting a probable cause search. A search warrant was later obtained for a blood sample from the driver as part of the investigation.
The pursuit reached speeds estimated between 80 and 100 miles per hour.
The LeeComm Dispatch Center, Keokuk Fire Department, Lee County Ambulance Service, Iowa State Patrol, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office provided valuable assistance during this event.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation supported by probable cause. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.