Sioux Center, Iowa — A Sioux Center teen was airlifted to the hospital after a single-vehicle crash while leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase.
Authorities say the chase began in Sioux Center early Sunday morning, when a Sioux Center police officer attempted a traffic stop on a 2005 Chrysler minivan. The driver of the van failed to stop after the officer activated the police car’s emergency lights and siren, fleeing southbound from Sioux Center on Highway 75.
The pursuit continued southbound, entering Le Mars on Business 75. It was in Le Mars where the van failed to negotiate a curve near the Family Table restaurant, left the road and went over the railroad tracks before coming to rest.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the van’s driver, 16-year-old Wilifredo Martin Martin, was partially ejected from the vehicle during the crash, suffering serious injuries. Troopers say Martin Martin was airlifted to MercyOne Siouxland in Sioux City.
The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Le Mars Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Le Mars Fire and Rescue and Le Mars Ambulance, according to the accident report.
