URBANDALE – Police observed two stolen vehicles in a suburban Iowa neighborhood and a brief pursuit resulted in a fatal collision and arrest of a suspect.
On March 1, 2024, at approximately 3:30 AM, an Urbandale police officer observed a white Hyundai Elantra reported as stolen traveling southbound in the 4300 block of 86th Street. A second motor vehicle, a black Kia Soul, was observed traveling near the stolen motor vehicle. Just prior to activating the patrol vehicle’s emergency equipment, both vehicles accelerated away from the officer at a high rate of speed. The officer activated the patrol vehicle’s emergency equipment and briefly pursued both vehicles.
Almost immediately, near the 3700 block of 86th Street, the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Soul collided. The collision caused both vehicles to leave the roadway. The driver of the Kia Soul was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later discovered the black Kia Soul was recently stolen in Urbandale, Iowa. The name of the deceased driver is not being released at this time to allow time to notify family members.
The driver of the white Hyundai Elantra, identified as 18-year-old Sheldon Ballentine of Des Moines, was uninjured in the accident. Ballentine was taken into custody at the scene. The vehicle being driven by Sheldon Ballentine, a white Hyundai Elantra, was previously reported stolen out of West Des Moines.
Ballentine was transported to the Polk County Jail on the below charges:
– Theft 2nd Degree
– Homicide by Motor Vehicle
– Felony Eluding
– Possession of a Control Substance
– Traffic Charges
