Lang
5/19/23
A drunk driving arrest reportedly turned violent early Thursday morning at the Iowa City Police Department.
Iowa City Police say they conducted a traffic stop on a 2007 Chevy HHR in the parking lot of the L & M Mighty Shop on East Burlington Street just after 2:30am. The driver, 24-year-old Lamaria Thomas of Shamrock Place, allegedly showed signs of intoxication and refused breath testing. She reportedly gave a fake name and claimed to have no ID.
Thomas was arrested and taken to the nearby Iowa City Police station on East Washington Street for processing. Once there, police say Thomas refused commands and tried to leave the room. That reportedly led to a physical altercation with officers, including punching one in the face and kicking another one. One officer suffered cuts, and another reported severe pain to his leg. At one point, Thomas allegedly removed a radio from an officer’s vest, preventing that officer from calling for help for several minutes.
Thomas is charged with two counts of Assault on Peace Officers Causing Injury as well as one count each of Operating While Intoxicated, Removing a Radio From an Officer While Intending Injury, Driving While Revoked, Driving While Barred and Interference With Official Acts Causing Bodily Injury. If convicted on all charges, she faces a maximum of 11 years in prison.