Orange City, Iowa — Two people were airlifted to area hospitals following an incident that began in Orange City late Tuesday morning.
According to the Orange City Police Department, they responded to an assault call at an Orange City residence shortly before 11:30 Tuesday morning. When officers arrived, they say a male fled from the residence, entered a vehicle and accelerated quickly away. Police say while officers attempted to stop the male, other officers entered the residence and discovered a female in critical condition with several apparent stab wounds. Authorities say five children were also present in the home during the assault, but were unharmed.
Meanwhile, police say, the male subject continued to lead police on a pursuit, driving north from Orange City. Authorities say Sioux County Deputies deployed stop sticks, and when the driver attempted to avoid the stop sticks he lost control of his vehicle, entered the east ditch and struck an embankment where the vehicle came to rest.
The fleeing driver, who authorities identify as 27-year-old Arturo Tapia of Orange City, was transported by Boyden Ambulance to the Sioux Center Hospital, and later airlifted to Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Police say the female victim, who authorities didn’t name, was taken by Orange City Ambulance to the Orange City Area Health System, and transferred by air to MercyOne Medical Center in Sioux City for treatment of severe injuries related to the alleged assault.
Orange City Police say the case remains under investigation and a criminal charge of Attempted Murder and other possible charges are pending Tapia’s release from medical care.
Orange City Police were assisted by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, Orange City Ambulance, Boyden Ambulance, Boyden Fire Department, Sioux Center Police Department, Rock Valley Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol.
