Following car chase, Newton man jailed for OWI

A 29-year-old Newton man is behind bars after leading Newton police on a chase Friday morning.

Dealgerron Sharmon Harris was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence and eluding — 25 mph over the speed limit, according to a Newton Police Department report.

Investigators said officers witnessed a gray Ford Taurus driving westbound within the 100 block of North Fourth Avenue East. The report states the care was stopping at random and swerving across the center line, nearly hitting a curb.

Officers said the driver, Harris, also committed a rolling stop and turned on to East Eighth Street South, at which point the squad vehicle turned its lights on behind the Taurus.

Harris slowed down at first, and then took off through the stop signs on North Third Avenue East and on First Avenue East. The vehicle hit speeds of 50 mph in the largely residential area, the report said.

Once the vehicle came toward South Fifth Avenue East, the Taurus fishtailed as it traveled southbound and crashed into multiple yards on the east side of the 700 block of East Eighth Street South. Harris got out and the pursuit continued on foot. After yelling at Harris to stop, the officer caught up, handcuffed and arrested him.

Harris has transported him to Jasper County Jail where he remains in custody on a $7,000 bond.

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or oshawl@newtondailynews.com