Truck drivers help end high-speed chase

Two eastbound tractor-trailer drivers recognizing the high-speed pursuit Tuesday in the 2900 block of U.S. Highway 34 east of Afton blocked both lanes of travel and forced the suspect to drive on the shoulder when she lost control and came to a stop in the ditch.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Marissa Waigand, 23, of Afton was then detained by law enforcement. She complained of injuries and was later airlifted to a Des Moines hospital.

Deputies were dispatched to a business in Afton for a reported assault in which the suspect Waigand, 23, had fled the scene. Deputies began searching for Waigand, who had threatened to harm herself and drive her vehicle into traffic. She had also attempted to purchase a firearm at a Creston pawn shop.

Deputies located her traveling westbound, east of Skyline Bridge on Highway 34 and attempted to stop her vehicle. Waigand intentionally drove into the south ditch at a high rate of speed then re-entered the roadway going eastbound, reaching speeds of 100 mph.

Deputies pursued Waigand, who, at times, drove in the oncoming lane of traffic and forced vehicles onto the shoulder. She passed other vehicles on the right shoulder at speeds greater than 80 mph, nearly causing numerous accidents. Waigand proceeded eastbound until Talmage Hill, approximately mile marker 98, where she made a U-turn, cut off an SUV traveling eastbound and continued westbound at a high rate of speed.

Paramedics and Afton Fire Department responded to the scene and transported Waigand to the helipad at Greater Regional Health in Creston, where she was flown to Des Moines.

Multiple charges are pending.