Hunter
9/16/19
A set of 20-year-old twins face a litany of charges after an alleged assault in downtown Iowa City early Sunday morning.
Police say they came upon a person who had been assaulted at the corner of Burlington and Dubuque Street at about 1:50am. Witnesses to the altercation pointed to a green Ford Fusion leaving the scene, and an officer pursued the vehicle with lights and sirens activated.
The driver, 20-year-old Justice Christiansen of Mount Pleasant, sped off, reaching speeds of 70 miles per hour in a 25 miles per hour zone. He eventually crashed in the 800 block of South Clinton Street and fled on foot. His sister, Jade Christiansen of Burlington, is accused of sliding into the driver’s seat after her brother fled, shutting off the vehicle and fleeing as well.
Jade Christiansen was captured less than 100 yards away from the crash, showed signs of intoxication, admitted to drinking, and had the car keys on her. She also gave officers a false name of Rebecca Simpson.
Justice Christiansen didn’t get far before he, too, was apprehended. He allegedly had bloodshot watery eyes, impaired speech, unsteady balance, smelled of ingested alcohol, and was wearing bar wristbands. Police say he outright refused to identify himself because he said he knew his rights and didn’t have to tell them who he was. Christiansen was only identified after another officer retraced his steps and found his wallet with an ID card inside. He initially denied driving the vehicle, but his sister identified Christiansen as the driver. Christiansen admitted to drinking but refused all testing.
Justice Christiansen was charged with his first OWI, eluding, interference with official acts, harassment of a public official, public intoxication, driving while suspended, and reckless driving.
His sister Jade was also charged with OWI, as she briefly had control of the vehicle. She faces additional charges of public intoxication, providing false ID information and being in a bar underage.
