Arrest made after high speed chase

Driver captured after vehicle gets stuck in muddy field

A Cedar Rapids man is under arrest after a high-speed pursuit with Cerro Gordo County law enforcement Monday night, Dec. 14.

A report from the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Department states that shortly after 9:15 p.m. a deputy located a Hyundai Sonata which was reportedly stolen in Cedar Rapids.  The deputy attempted a traffic stop as the car entered US Highway 18 off of US Highway 65, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. The Sonata continued westbound on Highway 18, crossing over into the eastbound lanes for a period of time. The car then fled south onto Interstate 35, where speeds during the pursuit reached 120 miles per hour. The vehicle exited onto County Road B-43 and then turned south onto Grouse Avenue south of Clear Lake.

The car left the roadway into a ditch and then struck a Mason City Police Department patrol vehicle and a Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. The Sonata then drove into a plowed corn field where it became stuck.

Trenton McCleary, 29, attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended. He was transported to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa for minor injuries.

A female passenger was evaluated and released with no injuries and was not charged.

According to the Cerro Gordo County Jail website, McCleary is charged with eluding law enforcement, reckless driving, two counts of failing to obey a traffic control device and speeding.  He is being held in jail on $5,000 bond.