Hunter
07/15/25
An Iowa City man was taken into custody Monday night after allegedly leading state trooper on a high-speed chase.
The trooper attempted to stop 48-year-old Johnathan Kim of Woodland Heights Road NE for speeding at approximately 7:18 pm near the eastbound I-80 ramp to Dubuque Street when he allegedly took off at a high rate of speed.
The trooper stated that Kim continued to elude him through multiple different streets, reaching speeds of up to 40 mph over the speed limit. He also allegedly made numerous unsafe passes and drove recklessly.
Kim eventually returned to I80, where he was reportedly clocked at 110 miles per hour. He exited on Coral Ridge Avenue and continued north until the trooper performed a Precision Intervention Technique to end the pursuit. Kim’s vehicle allegedly spun out and shut off. He was unable to restart it, and Kim was ordered out of the vehicle.
He claimed that he was going in and out of consciousness and didn’t use narcotics, but allegedly admitted to drinking one beer. Field tests showed no signs of impairment.
Kim reportedly admitted that he knew he was being pursued by a trooper, and that he was just trying to get away.
He was charged with Eluding 2nd offense, Interference with Official Acts, and Reckless Driving. If convicted on all counts, Kim could be sentenced to over ten years in prison.