Semi Truck Driver Charged After 76-Mile Pursuit on Interstate 80 in Iowa

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY, Iowa — A semi-truck driver accused of leading law enforcement on a lengthy pursuit along Interstate 80 earlier this week has been formally charged with eluding, the Iowa State Patrol (ISP) confirmed on Thursday.

The incident began at approximately 6:30 a.m. Tuesday when the ISP received reports of a semi-truck dragging a chain, causing sparks on the highway about 15 miles west of Council Bluffs. Troopers located the truck near the Harlan exit and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over, authorities said.



The ensuing chase stretched 76 miles before ending at the Dallas County Weigh Station. According to a criminal complaint, troopers deployed multiple tire deflation devices during the pursuit, eventually deflating the front steer tires. Despite the damage, the driver continued driving on the rims, leaving the tires shredded.

The driver, identified as Jose Ariel Rosa Rivera of New Jersey, was taken into custody at the weigh station. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for evaluation after officers observed concerning physical symptoms, including visible body tremors, sporadic abdominal convulsions, bloodshot and watery eyes, and constricted pupils, according to a search warrant.

The warrant also noted that Rosa Rivera repeatedly shouted, “Jesus Christ is coming,” to officers and medical personnel during the incident.

Further investigation revealed that Rosa Rivera’s actions caused significant disruptions to traffic and posed a serious safety risk to other motorists. Dashcam footage obtained by authorities reportedly shows the semi-truck veering across lanes during the pursuit.

Officials have not disclosed whether additional charges may be filed as investigations continue, though the ISP confirmed that Rosa Rivera is currently facing one charge of eluding. The motivation behind his behavior remains unclear, and law enforcement is examining potential contributing factors, including medical or substance-related issues.

No injuries were reported during the incident, but the ISP emphasized the dangers posed by high-speed pursuits and commended the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies to bring the situation to a safe resolution.