BLACK HAWK COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department and Cedar Falls Police responded to the 8100 block of W. 1st Street on Saturday morning for reports of a collision between a Hyundai Elantra and a IH McCormick Farmall tractor. Police say both were heading east on 1st Street, and one rear-ended the other. The driver of the Elantra went to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the tractor was airlifted to UIHC for serious injuries. Officials are not yet releasing the names of the drivers.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (KCRG) – A Dunkerton man is facing several charges after leading police on a short chase that ended in a crash. Cedar Falls Public Safety says around 4:17 p.m. on Sunday, officers were talking to 27-year-old Cory Erks of Dunkerton, who was parked in front of the Goodwill at 4318 University Ave. Officers say Erks then fled, refused to stop, then crashed into a tree at 7th St. and State St. Erks is facing charges of Warrants for Eluding, Reckless Driving, and more.
DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – A Dubuque woman who pleaded guilty after the death of her two-month-old has been sentenced to five years probation. Valessa Matlock took a plea deal in March, pleading guilty to neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. In 2023, police found her baby unresponsive and cold to the touch. An autopsy shows the infant died from positional asphyxiation after being left swaddled in a blanket on a couch. State prosecutors had recommended a 10-year prison sentence for Matlock.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A caretaker has been charged for stealing more than $6,700 from two dependent adults. Sumaya Thomas faces two counts of dependent adult abuse, one count of theft in the second degree, one count of theft in the third degree, and two counts of credit card fraud. An investigation by Cedar Rapids Police revealed Thomas had been using debit cards belonging to the two alleged victims. Both individuals are considered dependent adults by the Department of Health and Human Services, and need help handling their finances. Thomas was reportedly employed by Limitless Potential, a company that provides services to people with intellectual disabilities. Thomas was acting as a caretaker for the two alleged victims when she made unauthorized transactions using their debit cards in March. A criminal complaint revealed Thomas stole $5,834.00 from one person and $878.27 from the other. Thomas reportedly admitted to these offenses.
