Lang
5/17/25
A late night police chase through University Heights has led to the arrest of an Iowa City man.
University Heights Police say an officer was finishing up a traffic stop at Melrose Avenue and Mormon Trek Boulevard just before 10:15 Friday night when he saw a 2014 Audi A6 speeding eastbound on Melrose. The car was tracked doing 95 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. When the officer turned on his lights and siren and initiated a pursuit, the driver turned off his lights and continued eastbound, with his car squealing its tires and visibly smoking as it slid across the roadway.
The chase crossed over Sunset Street and Koser Avenue at speeds over 95 miles per hour before the vehicle was able to lose the officer in the Myrtle Street neighborhood. The car was later found parked near Keswick Drive and Wheaton Road. It was still hot and had a strong burning smell. The driver, 20-year-old Matthew Wright of Wheaton Road, allegedly told the officer he was the one who eluded him and that “it was stupid”.
Wright is charged with Felony Eluding, Reckless Driving and Careless Driving. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.