Man Faces Drug Charges, OWI After Police Chase In Lisbon

By Jeff Raasch, Reporter

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By Eric Stidman

Story Created: Feb 21, 2012 at 3:45 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2012 at 4:41 PM CDT

LISBON, Iowa – A police chase that started when an officer noticed a car going about 60 mph through downtown Lisbon ended with a crash Friday night, authorities said.

Spencer D. Mullett, 19, of 417 Second Ave. NW in Mount Vernon, has been charged with attempting to elude, operating while intoxicated and drug possession. No one was hurt when the car he was driving crashed into a rocky embankment east of the city limits.

According to police, just before 9 p.m. Friday an officer noticed a car on Main Street going east at a high rate of speed. The officer gave chase as the driver ran a stop sign at Washington Street. Speeds reached up to 70 mph in the 25 mph zone as the chase continued out of town, police said.

Within just a couple minutes, the driver lost control and crashed as the road curves near Hooiser Road. Police said the front wheels of the car came off, and airbags deployed, but Mullett crawled out on his own. He was alone in the car.

“Thank God nobody got hurt,” Lisbon Police Chief Rick Scott said. “Someone could have been, pretty easily.”

Scott said the car Mullett had been driving was registered to his mother, who was unaware he had taken it. Mullett also was cited for driving with a suspended license, speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign. He also had a small bag of marijuana with him, Scott said.

According to a criminal complaint, Mullett provided a breath sample that indicated an alcohol concentration of 0.097.

After the crash, police asked Mullett why he ran. He responded by saying he “just wanted to do it,” and that it was “stupid,” police said.

Mullett was taken to the Linn County Jail. He was no longer listed on the inmate roster Tuesday.

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