Arrest Made in Chase, School Bus Crash, Kidnapping

An Eastern Iowa man, wanted for a high-speed chase that ended in a crash with a school bus, has been taken into custody.

46 year old James Surrett of Cedar Rapids, led authorities on a chase reaching speeds of up to 100 miles an hour in Cedar Rapids on February 10th.

The pursuit ended at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 1st Street West in Cedar Rapids, where Surrett's vehicle collided nearly head-on with a pickup, then a Cedar Rapids Community School District bus.

Surrett tried to flee the scene on foot, but was captured.

Authorities discovered Surrett had 18 withdrawals on his driving record, dating back to 1988. He was treated for injuries at a local hospital.

After being released, Surrett was sought by authorities to answer to charges of eluding, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, and driving while barred.

Surrett was arrested Monday at about 7pm at the Budget Inn in Cedar Rapids, and taken to the Linn County jail.

In an unrelated incident, apparently involving an unnamed woman, Surrett is also being charged with kidnapping in the 2nd degree.

Surrett is scheduled to make a court appearance on the charges.

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