KOSSUTH COUNTY – A young man from Northern Iowa allegedly was involved in an auto crash that he fled from and now faces a range of charges after police tracked him down weeks later.
On June 7, 2023, the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an accident at the corner of 110th Avenue and Hwy 9, approximately three miles east of Swea City. A white Ford Ranger was traveling northbound on 110th Avenue and failed to stop at the stop sign for Hwy 9. The Ford Ranger struck a black 2020 Ram 2500 pickup that was pulling a livestock trailer and was eastbound on Hwy 9.
Witnesses observed the driver of the white Ford Ranger flee the scene on foot after impact. A passenger in the Ram 2500 pickup reported injuries and the Swea City Ambulance responded to the scene.
After a detailed investigation to identify the driver of the white Ford Ranger, on June 27, 2023, the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chase Michael Hammond, age 18, of Swea City for the following charges:
• Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident
• Driving While License Revoked
• Failure to have SR-22 Insurance when required
• Failure to Provide Proof of Liability Insurance
• Failure to Transfer a Title on a Motor Vehicle
• Failure to Obey a Stop Sign
• Minor in Possession of Alcohol
The Sheriff’s Office executed subpoenas for cell phone records and requested a Geo-fencing warrant for all phones in the area at the time of the accident, along with other circumstantial evidence, to identify the driver that fled the scene.
