Katrina Starr Nelson
Name: Katrina Starr Nelson
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Race: Race unspecified
Date: 04/09/2005
Location: Ely Road and Old Ely Road
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404
County: Linn
Agency: Linn County Sheriff's Office
Cause of Death: Vehicle
Intended Use of Force: Vehic/Purs
Media summary: Deputy Douglas Riniker passed a pickup truck with four people inside at around 3:20 a.m. and believed he smelled ether coming from the vehicle. Riniker followed the truck, which accelerated to 75-80 mph. Riniker activated his lights and siren, and a 95 mph chase ensued. The driver, identified as Merle A. Shank, tried to turn right at an intersection and the truck crashed into the ditch. Katrina Starr Nelson was pinned under the truck and died from her injuries. Shank was convicted of vehicular homicide by attempting to elude authorities, vehicular homicide by reckless driving and nonconsensual termination of a pregnancy.
Unique ID: 4113
News article: Link
View Larger Map
