Bill “William” Washington Smith, of Woolstock, was arrested June 10, 2026, and transported to the Hamilton County Jail after first being taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began May 31, 2026, when the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Webster City Police Department with a complaint that a male was circling a house and harassing a person inside the city limits of Webster City.
Authorities said communications between the suspect and the individual included threats that the suspect would damage property and harm people and law enforcement officers if police were called.
When law enforcement arrived, the suspect had already left the area. Authorities identified him as Smith, who the sheriff’s office said was known to law enforcement to have a barred driving status.
Deputies and Webster City police officers began looking for Smith and the red Dodge pickup he was reportedly driving. He was located on 210th Street just north of Webster City, off North Des Moines Street.
A Hamilton County deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but authorities said the pickup accelerated quickly and tried to evade law enforcement.
The pursuit continued through northwestern Hamilton County and southwestern Wright County. During the chase, authorities allege Smith slammed on his brakes at times in an attempt to get law enforcement vehicles to rear-end his pickup.
The sheriff’s office said Smith was not successful, but speeds reached more than 100 mph at various times. Authorities also allege Smith drove in a way intended to hit deputy vehicles.
Hamilton County deputies attempted multiple Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT, maneuvers to stop the vehicle, but the attempts were not successful. After the final PIT attempt, authorities said Smith regained control of the pickup and then allegedly drove directly into the front end of a Hamilton County deputy vehicle, causing substantial damage.
After the collision, Smith’s vehicle became immobilized and he fled on foot, according to the sheriff’s office.
After a brief foot pursuit, authorities said Smith would not show his hands or reveal what he was holding. He was apprehended with the help of a Taser device.
No law enforcement officers were seriously injured during the incident.
Smith was charged with first-degree criminal mischief, a Class C felony; two counts of assault on a peace officer using a deadly weapon, Class C felonies; eluding, a Class D felony; driving while barred, an aggravated misdemeanor; and reckless driving, a simple misdemeanor.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and Smith is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.