Iram Jesus Ayala Rodriguez Charged With Attempted Murder After Rock Valley Police Chase
A 47-year-old man faces an attempted murder charge after driving his pickup truck at a northwest Iowa police officer and leading law enforcement on a high-speed vehicle pursuit, ktiv.com reported.
Attempted Officer Strike Outside Rock Valley Station
The incident began at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2026. Two Rock Valley Police Department officers were on foot outside their station in a nearby parking lot speaking with an individual when Iram Jesus Ayala Rodriguez drove up to them in a 2015 Ford F-150. An officer recognized Ayala Rodriguez and knew he lacked a valid driver’s license. When the officer ordered him to stop, Ayala Rodriguez refused.
According to the Rock Valley Police Department press release, Ayala Rodriguez drove his vehicle directly at the officer, intentionally striking him in an attempt to run him over. As he drove away from the parking lot, he also pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the officers.
Vehicle Pursuit Across Northwest Iowa
Officers returned to their vehicles and initiated a pursuit that traveled north of Rock Valley on county road K30. During the chase, the suspect intentionally rammed a pursuing police vehicle and committed numerous traffic violations. Law enforcement attempted to deploy spike strips to stop the pickup, but those attempts failed.
The pursuit ultimately looped back into Rock Valley, concluding when the pickup stopped at the intersection of Highway 18 and Main Street. Officers took Ayala Rodriguez into custody without further incident.
Ayala Rodriguez Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Police Chase
The officer struck by the pickup was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. Equipment sustained substantial damage during the chase, with a Rock Valley Police K9 unit vehicle and a Sioux Center Police car each suffering an estimated $5,000 in damage.
Ayala Rodriguez faces a lengthy list of charges filed in connection with the incident, including attempted murder of a peace officer, which is a Class B felony carrying a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison upon conviction. He is also charged with eluding, a Class D felony carrying up to five years in prison, alongside three counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence for a first offense.
Additional misdemeanor counts include failure to yield, driving on the wrong side of a two-way highway, unsafe passing, multiple stop sign violations, failure to obey a traffic control device, failure to use a safety belt, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and using an electronic communication device.