Lang
5/6/25
An arrest has been made in connection with a police chase last month that knocked out an Iowa City traffic signal.
21-year-old Nicholas Bernard of Linmar Drive NW in Cedar Rapids was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after 1:15 Monday afternoon. The Iowa State Patrol says Bernard was the driver of a 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse that led troopers on a chase through Iowa City on the afternoon of April 22nd. The chase moved past the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Kennedy Parkway, then followed Melrose eastbound to Burlington Street, eventually ending when Bernard crashed into the traffic control cabinet at the intersection of Governor and Market Streets. Traffic signals were out of service at the intersection for about two days.
Bernard is charged with Felony Eluding, Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident, Driving While Suspended, Interference With Official Acts, Possession of Marijauna, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and numerous traffic violations. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of over 12 years in prison.