A Sioux Center man is facing multiple charges after police say he sped away from an officer Friday night, then stopped only when a train blocked the road.
According to Sioux County court records, 29-year-old Yoel Hernandez-Garcia of Sioux Center was arrested in the early morning hours of April 11 following an incident that began around 9:53 p.m. on April 10 near 380th Street and North Main Avenue in Sioux Center.
In a criminal complaint, an officer with the Sioux Center Police Department says he had just completed a traffic stop and was parked with emergency lights activated when Hernandez-Garcia approached at what was estimated to be more than 90 miles per hour.
Court documents allege the vehicle swerved into a turn lane, then onto the gravel shoulder, before turning onto 20th Street Northwest and accelerating to about 80 miles per hour. The complaint says the vehicle came to a stop roughly a half-mile later when a train blocked the roadway.
Authorities say Hernandez-Garcia did not initially comply with commands to exit the vehicle, and the officer gave repeated verbal commands at gunpoint before he eventually exited and was taken into custody without further incident.
The officer reported seeing an open container of alcohol in plain view, with additional open containers found in the vehicle. Court records also say Hernandez-Garcia showed signs of impairment, admitted to drinking, failed field sobriety tests, and had a preliminary breath test reading of 0.173.
Authorities also allege he provided false identification information to officers and was driving while his license was suspended.
Hernandez-Garcia faces the following charges:
•Eluding — speed more than 25 mph over the limit (Class D felony)
•Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) — 1st offense (serious misdemeanor)
•Reckless driving
•Speeding
•No valid driver’s license
•Driving under suspension
•Open container (driver, 21+)
•Providing false identification to law enforcement
•Interference with official acts
The most serious charge, eluding, is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison. The OWI charge carries up to one year in jail, while the remaining charges are misdemeanors with shorter potential penalties. In Iowa, sentences may be served at the same time rather than stacked, meaning actual time served can vary depending on the case.
Bond was set at $5,000 cash or surety.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
