Man led troopers on chase because 'it was on his bucket list'

A short chase by the Iowa State Patrol ended Thursday morning with an excuse from the driver troopers have never heard.

Troopers said the chase started before 7:30 a.m. on Interstate 80 at mile marker 133 eastbound. A trooper attempted to pull a driver of a sedan over on a simple traffic violation.

The driver refused to pull over, and the chase was on from there. More troopers joined the pursuit as the driver led troopers into Des Moines.

The chase ended at East 8th Street and Madison Avenue when a trooper used a PIT maneuver on the sedan. The driver was apprehended peacefully there.

That location is right across the street from Madison Elementary. Fortunately, no students were at the school at the time.

Troopers had initiated contact with the driver due to expired registration on the sedan. Troopers found nothing in a search of the vehicle.

The driver told troopers he wanted to be chased because “it was on his bucket list.”

“In my 28 years, I’ve never heard that excuse,” said Sgt. Scott Bright.

The driver, Frederick Ray Jones, 46, of Des Moines, was taken to the Polk County Jail for processing.

He has been charged with OWI first offense, eluding, interference with official acts, operation without registration, unlawful use of license, speeding and a parole violation.

Troopers said Jones was driving a car that was not his and using a driver's license that was not his.