A Georgia man was arrested Tuesday after he dropped off a woman authorities say he had assaulted at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics emergency department and then led UI police on a car chase.
Christopher C. Morgan, 38, of Cusseta, Ga., faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse assault, willful injury causing serious injury, control of a firearm by a domestic abuse offender, first-degree harassment, interference with official acts, speeding, unsafe entry into sidewalk or roadway, reckless driving and driving while license under suspension.
According to UI police, officers responded at 3:32 p.m. to the hospital for a report of a possible domestic assault involving a weapon.
Morgan had dropped off a woman there after assaulting her at an Interstate 80 truck stop, authorities said. According to criminal complaints, she tried to get out of the car they were in at the truck stop, but he forced her back inside while wielding a gun. He “hit her in the head with the pistol and stated that he would shoot her in the stomach and make her beg for her life,” the complaints state.
Morgan told the woman, who police said lives with him in a vehicle, that if she told anyone about him, he would kill her and her family. She had multiple injuries to her head, arms, legs and body, according to complaints.
As police were arriving at the hospital, they saw Morgan’s vehicle leaving and followed him. They attempted a traffic stop at Grand Avenue and Byington Road, but Morgan led them on a pursuit, according to police.
Morgan drove onto sidewalks and sped 60 mph in a 25 mph zone, police said. He dumped a gun and magazine during the chase, according to complaints.
“The suspect abandoned his vehicle near the intersection of Tanglewood Street and Ventura Avenue and fled on foot toward I-80. He was taken into custody north of I-80, just south of Kyle Drive NE at approximately 3:58 p.m. No injuries were reported in connection with the pursuit, and there is no ongoing threat to the public,” police said in a news release.
The investigation continues and additional charges may be filed, police said.
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Morgan had his first appearance in court Wednesday and was being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $1 million, cash-only bail. A no-contact order has been filed on behalf of the victim.
UI Hospitals drop off leads to chase, kidnapping charge
A Georgia man was arrested Tuesday after he dropped off a woman authorities say he had assaulted at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics emergency department and then led UI police on a car chase
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