An attempted traffic stop Friday night in Council Bluffs led to a chase, a crash, and eventual arrest. Council Bluffs Police say 42-year old Jason Thacker, of Council Bluffs faces a charge of Driving While Intoxicated/2nd offense, and other charges, after he was found hiding in a grassy area just north of where the vehicle he was driving collided with another vehicle near the Veterans Memorial Highway and N. 24th Street.

Jason Thacker

The incident began at around 8:30-p.m., Friday. Authorities say officers on routine patrol in the area of Richland Ave and Veterans Memorial Highway (VMH) observed a white Camaro traveling west on VMH at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was attempted at 19th Street, but the driver of the Camaro (later identified as Thacker) fled from the area, continuing westbound. No attempt was made to pursue the Camaro and the officer shut off his emergency equipment.

The Camaro ran a red light as it sped into the intersection of South 24th Street and VMH, colliding with another vehicle that was making a left turn, north onto 24th Street, from eastbound VMH. The driver of the other vehicle, 31-year old Justina Nolte, of Council Bluffs,was not injured, and refused treatment at the scene.

Officers arrived shortly after the accident and found Thacker left the scene leaving his passenger, 45-year old Keri Flores, of Omaha NE, in the vehicle. Officers located Thacker a short time later. Neither he, nor Flores, were injured.

As officers investigated the incident they found Thacker to be intoxicated. Field Sobriety Tests were administered that confirmed their suspicions.