CEDAR RAPIDS - The police chase of Connie Gates, 36, last March ended when she allegedly ran a red light and hit a taxi cab broadside. Car driver Richard Dankert, 76, was pronounced dead moments later at a Cedar Rapids hospital.

On Monday, Gates went on trial for a charge of vehicular homicide.

During opening statements, prosecutors told a Linn County jury that drugs played a pivotal role in the police chase and deadly crash. The state believes Gates had used crack cocaine constantly for several days before the crash. She was in a stolen car with two companions allegedly looking for more drugs when police tried to stop her.

The first witnesses in the vehicular homicide trial were all Cedar Rapids Police officers who chased Gates that night. Officers told jurors they followed the stolen car for a time to get in position and then turned on red lights and sirens. One officer said it was obvious Gates was interested in stopping.

Officer Dean Chiafos said "as we went onto 3rd Avenue, it was fairly tame and at a lower speed. But when she hit 380 she went all out and that vehicle was being driven as hard as it could go."

Chiafos arrived at the crash scene just seconds after the impact. He said Gates told him she didn't pull over because officers wouldn't quit following her. But Chiafos said a search of the defendant's purse offered another explanation.

Inside Chiafos said he discovered a crack pipe and a small amount of marijuana.

The trial is expected to last until Wednesday or Thursday.