DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — A semi-truck driver from New Jersey was in a Des Moines hospital Tuesday, with charges pending against him, after he led authorities on a 75-mile chase from western to central Iowa on Interstate 80.

Iowa State Patrol troopers began looking for the vehicle shortly after 6:30 a.m. Tuesday after 911 dispatch centers received multiple reports of a semi-truck dragging a chain, creating sparks on Interstate 80 near Underwood. The Iowa State Patrol says the vehicle was located around Avoca, but the driver, who has not been publicly identified, did not respond to commands to pull over.

Various law enforcement agencies deployed stop sticks as the vehicle approached the Des Moines metro in the eastbound lanes of I-80, successfully deflating multiple tires, the Iowa State Patrol says. The vehicle continued driving on its rims until about 8:10 a.m., when pursuing officers forced him to pull off at the weigh station between the exits for Van Meter and Waukee.

Pursued semi approaches “Stop-sticks” set across EB I-80 Tuesday morning (12/3/24)

Photo shows the semi w/deflated tires crossing the stop sticks

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater posted on the Adair County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (Adaircountyso), a brief video taken from his body camera, of the semi passing by his position along I-80, just before he and an Iowa State Patrol Trooper deployed stop-sticks. Vandewater said in one of the still frame photos, you can see the semi was “already driving on its rim at this point.” (Images shown below)

Authorities used tear gas to force the semi’s driver out of the cab, and he was taken to a Des Moines hospital for evaluation.

Sgt. Alex Dinkla, spokesperson for the Iowa State Patrol, said it’s unclear why the driver didn’t pull over for authorities, but it didn’t seem like he intended anyone harm, because he was taking other drivers’ safety into consideration – he just didn’t want to stop for law enforcement.