DES MOINES, Polk County, Iowa, Oct. 16, 2026 — Two people died on Wednesday night, October 14, after a vehicle fleeing Des Moines police crashed following a pursuit that ended on Fleur Drive. Both the driver and a passenger were ejected and were reportedly not wearing seatbelts, according to the Des Moines Police Department.
Officers initially stopped the vehicle near Stanton Avenue and McKinley Avenue around 10:30 p.m. for a lighting equipment violation. The driver, described as a 38-year-old man, reportedly gave officers a false name and then ran from the scene on foot. He resisted efforts to take him into custody before returning to the vehicle and driving off.
The driver then led officers on a chase that went the wrong way down Fleur Drive at high speed. Officers performed a PIT maneuver, and the vehicle crashed in the 2500 block of Bell Avenue.
The driver died at the scene and has not been publicly identified. The passenger, a 31-year-old woman, was taken to a hospital, where she died; she was later identified by police as April Doggett of Jefferson, Iowa. One officer suffered minor injuries while trying to detain the driver before the chase began.
The crash remains under investigation by the Des Moines Police Department.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the families of the victims.
Police Pursuits and Crash Risk: What the Numbers Show
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 1,947,298 passenger-vehicle occupants were injured in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. That figure includes a wide range of circumstances, but it helps explain why high-speed pursuits, which often end in loss of control or intentional contact such as a PIT maneuver, carry outsized risk for everyone in the vehicle being chased. Unbelted occupants are especially vulnerable in these crashes because sudden deceleration or a spin can throw them from the vehicle entirely.
Police pursuits that reach high speeds or involve wrong-way driving compress the time an officer or a fleeing driver has to react. A PIT maneuver, which is designed to end a chase by spinning the fleeing vehicle, can cause the car to roll or strike a fixed object, and occupants who are not belted in have little to keep them inside the vehicle when that happens.
Departments nationwide track pursuit-related crashes separately from routine traffic collisions because the decision to continue or end a chase often shapes the outcome as much as road conditions or vehicle speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and failure to yield are among the most frequently cited factors in crash reports nationwide.
How does speed affect crash severity?
Higher speeds reduce the time a driver has to react and increase the force of impact, which raises the likelihood of serious or fatal injury.
Why is distracted driving so dangerous?
Taking eyes, hands, or attention off the road for even a few seconds can prevent a driver from reacting in time to avoid a collision.
How do weather and road conditions contribute to crashes?
Rain, ice, fog, and poor lighting reduce traction and visibility, making it harder for drivers to control a vehicle or see hazards in time to stop.
What to Do After a Police Pursuit Crash in Des Moines, IA
If you're involved in or witness a crash connected to a police chase, call 911 right away and move to a safe location if possible. Even if you feel fine, seek a medical evaluation, since injuries from ejection or sudden impact aren't always obvious right away.
Cooperate with responding officers and provide a clear account of what you saw or experienced. Ask for a copy of the police report once it's available, and keep records of any medical treatment you receive. If you were a passenger or bystander affected by a pursuit, documenting the scene and your injuries early can help later if questions arise about what happened.
