(Warren County, IA) – A pursuit involving a Warren County Sheriff’s vehicle and a UTV early this (Saturday) morning, resulted in the UTV crashing, and two people being transported to a hospital by helicopter. The Iowa State Patrol says the UTV – operated by 31-year-old Arik D. Smith, of New Virginia – attempted to elude law enforcement as it was was traveling eastbound on SW 98th Avenue. The machine went out of control and entered the north ditch. It continued east until it came to a field drive before vaulting off the field drive and becoming airborne.

The UTV landed on the east side of the drive on the edge of the roadway, and began to roll. It came to rest on its wheels in the north ditch. Smith and his passenger, 20-year-old Wyatt T. Smith, of Indianola, were injured and flown by Mercy Air Med to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. The patrol says the men were wearing seat belts.

There was no information provided as to what initiated the pursuit.