An Iowa State Patrol trooper pulled over Nicholas Griffin, 37, after clocking him driving 98 mph in a 65 mph zone on the highway near the Hamilton County line at about 5:53 p.m. After the trooper told Griffin he smelled a marijuana odor from the car and asked him to step out, criminal complaints said he instead shifted the SUV back into gear and sped off.

The trooper said the chase continued at speeds of 114 mph as the vehicle turned onto U.S. Highway 169 north towards Fort Dodge, a 55 mph zone. As the 2020 Ford Expedition entered Fort Dodge, the trooper said it turned east onto Kenyon Road, speeding back up to 114 mph in a 45 mph zone.

After slowing down and cutting through traffic, the vehicle turned a corner too quickly, hitting a curb and shattering the utility pole on Fifth Avenue South at approximately 60 mph, where the chase ended.

Griffin was taken into custody after the live power lines were turned off.

Inside the rental vehicle, officers found a gallon-sized storage bag with what the defendant said was approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. Griffin also allegedly had approximately $7,000 cash in his pockets.

The defendant is charged with:

∫ Two counts of eluding, a Class D felony

∫ Controlled substance violation, a Class B felony

∫ Failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class D felony

∫ Failure to maintain control and three counts of speeding, all traffic violations

Griffin is being held in Webster County Jail on a combined $60,000 cash only bond. A preliminary hearing on the felonies has been set for Jan. 15.