Richard Dankert
March 25, 2009
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

KCRG-TV9 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
March 25, 2009

Cedar Rapids Cab Driver Killed After Police Pursuit

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man is dead after a car crash
following a police chase. It all started shortly after midnight
Wednesday.

According to the Cedar Rapids Police Department, a police pursuit
started at 12th Street and 3rd Avenue SE after a report of a stolen
black Dodge Neon. The pursuit ended, miles away, with a two vehicle
crash at Wilson Avenue and Interstate 380. Police say the driver of
the Dodge Neon ran a red light and crashed into a taxi cab.

The driver of the Yellow Cab, Richard Dankert, 76, of Cedar Rapids,
was killed. Dankert was extricated from his vehicle by Cedar Rapids
Fire and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he died from his
injuries.

Police have identified the driver of the stolen Dodge Neon as Connie
Gates, 36, of Cedar Rapids. James Norton, 38, of Hiawatha and
Daniel Brennan, 37, of Cedar Rapids, were also in the car.

Gates and Brennan were able to exit the Dodge Neon on their own.
Norton had to be extricated from the car by Cedar Rapids Fire. 
Gates and Norton were taken to Mercy Hospital, and Brennan to 
St. Luke’s Hospital. Gates was held for observation.

Gates was released from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon and 
brought to the Cedar Rapids Police Department where she was 
charged with Operation without Owners Consent, No Insurance, 
Homicide by Vehicle, PCS, and PDP (Crack and Marijuana). She 
was then transported to the Hinzman Center.

Cedar Rapids Police follow a set policy when a driver tries to run. 
One factor is the nature of the crime. A stolen car is a felony and in 
such cases, police can go in hot pursuit. But officers have to weigh 
other risks as well and this case will get a thorough review.

"We take it seriously...if there's anything we could have done 
differently, we have no control over the driver of the stolen vehicle 
but we look at what we could do differently as well," said Sgt. Cristy 
Hamblin, Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Sgt. Hamblin says officers might not have pursued as forcefully at a 
different time of day, with much more traffic on the same route. But 
at night the decision was made to go after Gates when she wouldn't 
stop.

Fellow cabbies and airport workers called Dankert a long time taxi 
driver who simply went about his business in a quiet way.

"He was always a fair guy to work with ...I had no qualms with him...
let me call him a typical upstanding american," said Eric Kaigler, Cab
Driver.

"I've known him four or five years out here...just the quietest, nicest 
guy you could imagine," Derek Hilgendorf, Rental Car Worker.

Two other people were riding in this stolen car when it crashed into
the taxi. Police haven't decide whether to charge the passengers yet.

----------------------

CRPD Media Release:

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
March 25, 2009

At approximately 12:15 AM, Officers were notified of a stolen black 
Dodge Neon with Iowa license plates 732LIH. At approximately 
12:28 AM, Officers saw this vehicle at 12 St and 3 Ave SE. Officers 
saw there were multiple people in the car. Because this was a stolen 
vehicle, officers waited until adequate officers were available to stop 
the stolen car. Officers activated their emergency lights at 6 St & 3 
Ave SE. The stolen vehicle then continued on 3 Ave to 7 St SE where 
it turned northbound on 8 St. The stolen car continued to I380 where 
it went southbound. The stolen car continued on I380 and exited at 
Wilson Ave SW. There was a Yellow Cab driving eastbound on 
Wilson Ave SW. The Yellow Cab had a green light. The stolen vehicle 
had a red light but did not stop. The stolen vehicle ran into the Yellow 
Cab on the driver’s side of the cab.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as Connie Gates, 
2-24-73, of 1603 13 Ave SW. Also in the stolen vehicle was James 
Norton/38 of Hiawatha and Daniel Brennan/37 of Cedar Rapids. 
Gates and Brennan were able to exit the stolen vehicle on their own. 
Norton had to be extricated from the car by Cedar Rapids Fire. All 
three were transported by Area Ambulance, Gates and Norton to 
Mercy Hospital, and Brennan to St. Luke’s Hospital. Gates was held 
for observation. Charges are pending.

The driver of the Yellow Cab was Richard Dankert/76 of Cedar 
Rapids. Dankert was extricated from his vehicle by Cedar Rapids 
Fire and transported to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he died from his 
injuries. The crash is still under investigation.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department want to remind the public of the 
Crime Stoppers program that is available to report crimes. If your 
information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for reward. If you 
have information, call 1-800-CR-CRIME. Callers remain anonymous 
and may be eligible for a reward.

Originally printed at http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/41818902.html

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