Fatal Encounters

A step toward creating an impartial, comprehensive and searchable national database of people killed during interactions with police

Melissa Sue Toillion

Name: Melissa Sue Toillion
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Race: European-American/White
Date: 03/10/2013
Location: 6246 East Oakwood Drive
Pleasant Hill, Iowa, 50327
County: Polk
Agency: Polk County Sheriff's Office
Cause of Death: Vehicle
Intended Use of Force: Vehic/Purs
Media summary: Toillion waited in the car while her friend swiped a 24-pack of beer from a Kum & Go without paying. A deputy fell into pursuit and Toillion took off, presumably because of an outstanding warrant for not paying court fees. Cresting a hill at high speed, her Buick flipped, struck a utility pole, and she died of her injuries.
Unique ID: 12477

News article: Link






View Larger Map