Investigation underway after man dies while in custody of Black Hawk County officials

WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation says it is investigating after a man died while in the custody of Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Sunday.

The incident began around 6:55 p.m. with a chase involving Waterloo police after a report of a white 2011 Ford Crown Victoria driving in the southbound lanes along Logan Avenue (Highway 63) in drove north. According to police, the vehicle was traveling at speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour.

Officials said the vehicle collided with another vehicle during the pursuit but continued to flee from pursuing officers.

Police said officers discontinued the pursuit because the vehicle posed a danger within city limits.

However, the chase resumed around 7:16 p.m. when a Black Hawk County trooper saw the suspect vehicle driving on Cedar Wapsi Road just north of the Waterloo city limits.

Officers said the second chase lasted about nine miles and reached speeds of more than 90 mph. It ended when the vehicle hit the stop bars used by the Bremer County Sheriff’s Office.

The driver was arrested and later identified as 42-year-old Willie Earl Washington of Waterloo.

Washington became unresponsive as he lay handcuffed on the ground.

Officers performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation and an ambulance was called. However, Washington did not respond and was later pronounced dead.

The pursuit and arrest were recorded on vehicle and body cameras. This footage has not yet been released.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

The Criminal Investigation Department says it will forward the results of its investigation to the Bremer County Prosecutor’s Office for review once the investigation is complete.

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