Cedar Rapids man charged with attempted murder after road rage incident

Hunter
08/03/22

A Cedar Rapids man faces decades in prison after an alleged road rage incident where he fired shots at a vehicle with four people inside.

According to a release from the police department, the incident occurred at approximately 2:10 pm Tuesday. The Joint Communications Agency received a call from a passenger in a vehicle involved in the  incident that began in the area of Center Point Road NE and 32nd Street NE with two vehicles traveling southbound on I-380. The caller said the passenger of another vehicle brandished a firearm during the road rage incident.

Officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle with the assistance of the caller and conducted a traffic stop.  Officers located a firearm and ammunition in the suspect vehicle.  The investigation determined the passenger in the suspect vehicle brandished a firearm, pointed it at the other vehicle with two adults and two juveniles inside, and fired two rounds at the vehicle as it traveled southbound on I-380.  The victim vehicle was struck in the front end by one round. No injuries were sustained.

The passenger, identified as 33-year-old Deryan Sims, was arrested and has been charged with four counts of Attempted Murder, four counts of Assault while Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, Carrying Weapons in the Commission of a Crime, Reckless Use of a Firearm, and Intimidation with a dangerous weapon. On the attempted murder charges alone, Sims could be sentenced to up to 100 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

The driver of the vehicle, 40-year-old Kelly Theisen of Cedar Rapids was charged with Driving while Suspended.

The investigation into Tuesday afternoon’s incident continues.