CEDAR RAPIDS, Linn County, Iowa, Nov. 11, 2026 — Two people died on Friday afternoon, November 6, after a wrong-way driver fleeing law enforcement crashed head-on into another vehicle on Highway 30 in Cedar Rapids, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
The Iowa State Patrol said 16-year-old Kayan Williams of Cedar Rapids and 36-year-old Garrett Sager of Grand Island, Nebraska, both died in the crash. Williams was driving a 2004 Chevy Impala. Sager was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Impala.
The Patrol's crash report said Sager had fled from law enforcement in Marshall County and led officers on a pursuit spanning four counties. During the chase, investigators said Sager fired at officers and struck an occupied patrol cruiser. Officers reportedly made several unsuccessful attempts to disable Sager's vehicle before the pursuit reached Cedar Rapids.
As Sager drove east in the westbound lanes of Highway 30, officers made a final attempt to stop him. That is when his vehicle collided head-on with Williams' car.
The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the crash. Our sympathies are with the families of everyone who lost their lives.
Crash Reports and Road Safety in Cedar Rapids, IA
This fatal crash happened on Highway 30 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Readers following crash news in Linn County can find city-level information on our guide to crashes in Cedar Rapids, IA, including how to request a report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What typically causes a head-on crash?
Head-on collisions can result from a vehicle traveling in the wrong lane or direction, usually due to impairment, a medical emergency, evasive maneuvers, or, as in this case, a vehicle fleeing law enforcement.
Why do head-on crashes tend to cause serious injury or death?
When two vehicles meet front to front, their combined speed adds together on impact, which usually produces more force than a rear-end or side-impact collision.
What should a driver do if they see a car heading toward them in the wrong lane?
Slow down, move toward the shoulder, and use a horn or headlights to alert the oncoming driver, since swerving into another lane of traffic can create added danger.
Where do head-on crashes most frequently happen?
They are more common on two-lane roads without a center barrier, especially at night or on curves with limited visibility.
