On March 4, 2026, at approximately 5:15 a.m., a concerned citizen contacted the Mahaska County 911 Center regarding a motor vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed entering Oskaloosa on Highway 92. The vehicle was described as a small car with a broken taillight and no license plates.
According to court documents and police reports, officers from the Oskaloosa Police Department observed a small silver four-door car traveling westbound on A Avenue East (Highway 92) near the 1700 block. The vehicle, driven by 23-year-old Dominick Needs of Grimes, appeared to be exceeding the posted 35 MPH speed limit. Radar confirmed the vehicle was traveling at 48 MPH in the 35 MPH zone (Oskaloosa Police Department, Criminal Complaint).
Officers in a fully marked patrol unit activated emergency lights in the 100 block of A Avenue East. The vehicle did not stop and accelerated, attempting to evade law enforcement. During the pursuit, the vehicle reportedly reached speeds of 64 MPH in a 30 MPH zone, passed other vehicles using the center lane at a reckless speed, and ran a stoplight at A Avenue East and North Market Street at over 25 MPH above the limit (Oskaloosa Police Department, Criminal Complaint). The initial pursuit was discontinued at 5:06 a.m. for safety reasons.
Shortly after, Mahaska County E911 received a report that the vehicle was entering Highway 163. Deputies from the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle outside of Oskaloosa, initiating a second pursuit at approximately 5:17 a.m. Highway speeds reached 110 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, with the driver using the shoulder to pass a semi-truck at around 80 MPH (Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Complaint). The vehicle was finally stopped outside of Otley near the intersection of Highway 163 and Dubuque Drive, where deputies conducted a felony stop.
Court documents indicate that Needs’ driver’s license was suspended due to non-payment of fines. Officers also recovered a napkin containing marijuana from Needs’ front right pocket.
Dominick Needs was arrested and transported to the Mahaska County Jail. He is currently charged with two counts of eluding law enforcement—speeding over 25 MPH above the limit, a Class D felony, and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana), first offense, a serious misdemeanor (Mahaska County Court Records). No bond or preliminary hearing has been set at this time.
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
