A weekend high speed chase that started in Jefferson County and ended in Henry County has landed the driver in jail on multiple drug charges.

According to Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding, a Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy was fueling his patrol truck in Batavia late Saturday morning and noticed a Cadillac vehicle with license plates corresponding to a BMW vehicle. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle sped off heading east on Highway 34. The motorist then tried to exit the highway in Fairfield, came upon a roadblock set up by Fairfield Police, and then returned to Highway 34 continuing eastbound. During the pursuit, the suspect’s vehicle reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour and was finally brought to a stop when the Henry County Sheriff’s Office deployed stop sticks to deflate the vehicle’s tires.

Officers arrested the driver, 33-year-old Barbara Kellar of Ottumwa, and a passenger, 34-year-old Mark Soard of Le Grand. After obtaining a warrant to search the vehicle, officers discovered and seized approximately two ounces of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and items indicating drug trafficking. Kellar was charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine greater than five grams and other drug-related charges, plus felony eluding and numerous traffic violations involved with the high speed chase.

The Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Transportation also assisted with the incident. KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.