PLEASANT HILL, Iowa — Daniel Eugene Weir, 40, of Pleasant Hill was sentenced to 17 years in prison Wednesday after a police chase that injured an officer in July, the Polk County Attorney's Office said.
On July 15 of this year, a Pleasant Hill police officer noticed a car, driven by Weir, without a license plate. After the officer followed it, the vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Northeast 12th Avenue and Northeast 56th Street.
As the officer pulled Weir over, a female exited his vehicle, and Weir sped away reaching over 90 mph in a 35 mph zone. During the ensuing pursuit, Weir ran more red lights and crossed into oncoming traffic, breaking more traffic violations.
Weir's vehicle eventually came to a stop near the 2200 block of East 38th Street in Des Moines, and he ran on foot before getting tasered and taken into custody.
Weir pled guilty to the charges he faced Wednesday which included eluding as a second offense with habitual offender enhancement, according to the attorney's office.
Charges also included interference with official acts resulting in serious injury as an officer's leg was broken during the July incident.
Due to his guilty plea, Weir was sentenced to consecutive prison sentences of 15 years for the eluding charge and two years for the interference charge, totaling 17 years. Weir will be eligible for parole after three years behind bars.
During the sentencing, Weir was ordered to participate in a victim-offender dialogue with the injured officer and pay for any induced damages.
Weir was also convicted of eluding in Sept. 2020, and he has been convicted of several felonies over the last 19 years which include drug charges.
