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Crime

5-Year-Old Somehow Survives This 130 MPH Crash That Killed Fugitive Father

Feb. 18, 2013 1:00pm Liz Klimas

The fact that a 5-year-old boy survived a 130 mile per hour car crash that killed his father, who was fleeing from the police officers, is being called “miraculous.”

The high-speed chase involving 33-year-old Jeremiah Johnson occurred Friday in several Iowa counties and ended with Johnson hitting a parked and empty police cruiser, the Des Moines Register reported.

5 Year Old Survives 130 Mile Per Hour Crash That Ended a Police Chase and Killed His Father

Jeremiah (left) and Johnnethan Johnson. Jeremiah was killed when he hit a parked police cruiser at 130 miles per hour during a chase. His son Johnnethan, who was found in the car’s backseat, survived and was listed in stable condition as of Saturday. (Photos via the Des Moines Register)

According to the report, Johnson’s son Johnnathen was reported missing by his mother to the police in November 2012. In January, warrants were issued for Johnson’s arrest in Georgia for the alleged kidnapping of his son after he was stopped by local police for running a red light and fled the scene when officers asked he exit the vehicle.

Friday’s police chase began in the early morning hours when an officer spotted a car similar to that which had been described in a recent shooting report, according to the Register. Police were not able to get a correct read of the car’s license plate number.

As the chase was underway, police put stop sticks and set up a roadblock, which Johnson hit about 30 minutes after driving at high-speeds. His Volkswagen was sent careening into a police car.

(Image: Police dashcam screenshot)

Watch this dashcam footage showing how an officer left his car only a few seconds before Johnson collided with it at an estimated 130 miles per hour:

Indianola Detective Sgt. Brian Sher told the Register that it wasn’t known if passengers were in the car and that it was “miraculous” the 5-year-old boy found crying in the car’s backseat survived while his father was killed. Police said if they had known the child was in the car, they wouldn’t have engaged in the chase to prevent endangering the boy.

On Sunday, the Register reported Johnnathen being listed in stable condition at a local hospital, but he did suffer some physical injuries.

In this video, Johnson’s family members talks about their grandson and son as a loving father:

In the video, Johnson’s father emotionally recalled how he found out watching a television report in the morning that his son was killed in the crash.

“I did not need to see that,” Duayne Johnson said.

Duayne Johnson said his son loved his Johnnathen more than anything and treated him “like gold.”

In a separate article, the Des Moines Register reported more details on the custody battle over Johnnathen between Johnson and the boy’s mother April Lozano:

Lozano had been given full custody of Johnnathen in July, but Johnson never gave her the child, said Sgt. Jason Halifax, a Des Moines police spokesman.

On Nov. 5, Lozano filed a missing persons report with Des Moines police, and told detectives Johnson was possibly suicidal and possibly homicidal toward Johnnathen, Halifax said.

The custody fight was a civil matter, not a criminal issue, so until Johnson ran from police last month, he would not have been arrested for having the child, Halifax said.

Johnson’s family told the Register that Jeremiah believed his ex-wife was seeing an ex-convict, which might have spurred him to want to keep his son from her.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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Comments (38)

G-WHIZ
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:03pm
Had ta be a dead-o-crat cause it’sa “all about the children”. When they attack anyone they hide behind “the children”. If he “cared” sooo much, howcome he became a fugitive and involved his young-son inna deadly-chase?? Typical PROG…RUN-AWAY…IT-SA NOT MY FAULT!!

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- Gehannaisreal
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 10:55am
  Things escalate. Law enforcement should never have done such a high speed chase. They pressured the situation into panic mode. I thought high speed chase was illegal now.
  The man did love his son and saw him being with his mother and denied access to himself as a ruining of the child’s life.
  I am so sad at this and trying to remember more fully my interaction and attitude and if I did all I should have in that when the child was 3 years old. My brief time of interacting left me wondering if the child needed to be with his mother as he was only 3, but she made a choice for some time to have it that way. Jeremiah wanted his son to be a good and strong man. I do not know well his understanding of what that meant, but he loved his son.
  
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lfoa
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:15am
Reminds me of the old adage…..
“Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly!”

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N37BU6
Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:27am
Every time a kid doesn’t die, it’s a miracle. Every time one does, he’s gone to Heaven.

Every time a bad guy doesn’t die, it’s his chance at redemption. Every time one does, he’s gone to hell.

You religious people sure do have all your bases covered… almost like you make it up as you go.

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- Clownshoes
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:42pm
  N37, you said:
  “Every time a kid doesn’t die, it’s a miracle. Every time one does, he’s gone to Heaven.”
  Every time a bad guy doesn’t die, it’s his chance at redemption. Every time one does, he’s gone to hell.”
  “You religious people sure do have all your bases covered… almost like you make it up as you go.How come you never say that about all the kids who die horrible deaths?”
  
  You troll. After reading this article, this was how you decided to respond? You felt the need to attack people’s faith? You must be one of those super tolerant liberal types…You smug little jackhole. You are the type of filth I wipe off my foot after leaving a subway restroom. I bet you log into sites like this to leave comments such as you did to make yourself feel better about the empty, pathetic condition of your life. Do yourself, and society at large, a favor and throw yourself off a cliff (do make sure you are wearing biodegradable clothing as no one is going to look for you – don’t want to harm the environment while you rot).
  
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- Gehannaisreal
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:13am
  You assume Jeremiah was a bad guy?
  He was a guy who wanted to be good.
  He liked to help others, fixed my friend’s car brakes for free, offered to fix mine for only $25.
  I did not see him as wise, because wisdom comes from believing the LORD, Yahweh, in everything, but he tried to be a friend to those who would let him.
  I prayed for him while he was helping fix someone’s car. He had said his arm or shoulder injury from military service gave him pain regularly.
  He was proud of his time he fought for his country, as well he should have regarded that motive of protecting his country as worthy of being regarded as a good thing to do.
  I wish I would have given him a little more time, but perhaps that was all I could have given him.
  I grieve for the whole situation of the sin of mankind and the refusal to listen to the LORD.
  I grieve for the family, including the little guy who will not understand what happened for a long time.
  
  Report this comment
bankerpapaw
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:19pm
God was holding that precious child in the hollow of His hand.

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- theaton
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:12pm
  “How come you never say that about all the kids who die horrible deaths?”
  Because they believe that G__ hates all of the kids that die of cancer. G__ doesn’t work the way these people believe.
  
  Report this comment
Melika
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 2:44pm
As this story stinks, I’d like to point out that “estimating” a car’s speed and the actual speed are almost always two totally different things. 130 MPH is not tiddly winks. I’d like to know what kind of vehicle he was driving and if it was even capable of going that fast before I’d believe that story.

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- THX-1138
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:10pm
  Volkswagen Passat . Top speed of 220 kilometres per hour (136.7 mph). Which sounds like a guy with the pedal to the floor….
  
  Report this comment
booklvr777
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 2:10pm
And another thing that doesn’t add up, the mother got full custody in July but the father doesn’t give the boy back, so she waits until November to file a police report? If you go to court to get full custody, usually it’s because you fear harm will come to your child if the other parent has them ( not always, I know )–so you go through the hassle and expense to get full custody, then you don’t follow through until months later? I think a few important details are missing from this story.

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AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 2:09pm
There’s more to this than we are being led to believe. It looked like a picture of the deceased in a uniform! If so, it makes this story even more of a tragedy!

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- spoiltcap
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:06pm
  There is alot more to this story. I posted a huge response below.. but I live near this and have been following it and things do not add up and also they are leaving alot of info out… NOTE: this happened in both warren and polk country. I strongly believe that the local sheriffs would not lie about things. Indianola cops would be more likely to do it.. but state troopers were also involved and lately the State troopers have been very political.. also the Des Moines Register is not as trusted a source as it used to be.
  
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booklvr777
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:58pm
The cops may not have KNOWN for an absolute certainty that the child was in the car, but seriously, doesn’t common sense tell you that he most likely was? Where did they think he was, with Santa Claus? Another example of police using questionable judgement, which fortunately didn’t end in tragedy for the child. Oh, well, except now his dad’s dead.

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BostonHarold
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:50pm
Only drug crazed suicidal lunatic rams a cop car at 130 mph with his kid in the backseat. It is so.

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- theaton
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:19pm
  “drug crazed”
  
  Definition please?
  
  Report this comment
IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:43pm
An angel was watching over the boy for sure. My heart and prayers for his continued healing.

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TruthDarts
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:27pm
Soooo….driving 130 miles per hour in a car with your child…is treating child “LIKE GOLD”????

WOW — check your brain there Grandma.

The fact that Johnnnnnathan survived AIN’T due to your sonny boy Duuuayne…but DESPITE his evil love for himself OVER his son…that GOD stepped in with His angels to protect Johnnathan’s life.

Looks like mom was right…Duuayne WAS suicidal & had murder of his own son on his mind.

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spoiltcap
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:27pm
I actually live a town over from where this took place. The location where it started and the location where it ended are about 20 miles apart (or a 30 minute drive). I have been following this story since it happened and want to mention that the Des Moines Register has been leaving small pieces of information out here and there. The local station of KCCI.com has more details. But this man served overseas and saw a friend die in an attack on his humvee and is said to have been experiencing a form of PTSD. He served 3 tours in combat and when he came back his wife left him for an Ex-con. He took the child for fear of what this man may do to him and how he believed his ex-wife could not take care of the child. The only reason he didnt get custody is because of this PTSD (or stress) on his record. He was running from the cops for fear that he would love his child forever. Also, the point in Indianola, IA where he hit a police cruiser is actually a hard to see area. The street has lights but not that bright, and even with police lights flashing it would have been hard to see the distance from them. I do not agree with everything he did, especially the speed that he was driving at with a child in the car, but I do want to defend him since the local media and now national media seems to be all too willing at placing a black spot on everything this man stood for.

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- THX-1138
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:34pm
  It would appear that the Court was right on this one.
  
  Report this comment
- Jenny Lind
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:40pm
  Thank you for making it more clear, it makes it truely tragic. I feel sick to my stomach for the sadness I feel. Wish it could have worked out differently, but glad this baby was surrounded by angels.
  
  Report this comment
- spoiltcap
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:49pm
  I dont agree, Polk county courts (which is the county that the capital is in) are very liberal and most of the time side with the woman thinking she is always correct for child care. I know several people that have had divorces and the woman get the best deal even though they were a horrible parent. This man had evidence that his ex was unsuitable for care and that her new boyfriend who was just released from jail, is a dangerous man and he didnt believe they would take care of his son the way he should have been. I do not condone illegal actions but I am getting tired of the courts and media telling the people how they can or cant live. especially when it comes to raining their own children.
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:55pm
  I certainly hope that the millitary knows that Obama is using them as expendable tools.
  
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- runwithscissors
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 2:04pm
  Woman really can be the worse people. She will grab onto this boy for the additional benefits even tho she is dating (or more likely living with) a dangerous ex-con.
  
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- THX-1138
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:23pm
  @spoiltcap
  He damn near killed his son running from the law. We can guess all day what she “might have done” but she and her (ExCon means what? Tax evader? I’ve not seen it print.) new boyfriend didn’t drive their car at 130 MPH into a frikkin police cruiser with that boy in the back seat. That much we DO know.
  
  @chips1
  We always have and we always will. It’s not just Obama.
  
  @runwithscissors
  Dangerous? If you have his rap sheet I’d honestly like to know what’s on it. If he’s a Methhead I’m likely to change my mind but I’m the Innocent Until Proven kind since much of the “Law” is a joke these days.
  
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- THX-1138
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:04pm
  The more I read about this guy…
  
  From the Desmiones Register:
  ————
  According to police records from 2011, Johnson was “unstable” and “had a violent history.”
  
  During a family gathering in July of that year, Johnson allegedly became angry and kicked Johnnathen, who was 3 at the time, in the chest. When family members confronted him, he became angrier and threatened to “put a bullet in the head” of one of his family members, before grabbing his son and storming out, according to a Des Moines police report.
  ————
  
  He may have served his country but he should never have been allowed anywhere near his son until he got help and got better.
  
  Report this comment
THX-1138
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:26pm
Duayne Johnson said his son loved his Johnnathen more than anything and treated him “like gold.”

Keep telling yourself that lie if you must but the truth is much less comforting. And much more instructive.

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Vision Harry
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:26pm
How many examples of the presence of God do we need to see before we humble ourselves to the will of our Creator?

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- THX-1138
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:29pm
  People who believe see Him everywhere. People who do not believe don’t see Him at all. All I saw was Karma in action. Call it whatever name you want; it just wasn’t that kids time. I think we can all agree on one thing, we’re glad he’s going to be OK.
  
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- theaton
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 5:25pm
  Well said THX-1138!
  
  Report this comment
RedSpotinaBlueState
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:16pm
Way to add about 17 extraneous letters to the poor kid’s name so that neither he nor anyone else will be able to spell it throughout his entire life.

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- runwithscissors
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 2:01pm
  Thinking the same think. Johnnethan seems like an illiterate way of spelling Jonathan.
  
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- Gehannaisreal
  Posted on February 20, 2013 at 11:39am
  It is a fad to some degree in the naming of babies to spell the name and somehow make it different.
  It bothers me to see how people do not spell correctly, but then the government dictates dumbed down education, which is a whole other topic.
  Even in the Des Moines “public” school district, phonics, reading by sounding out words, is never seriously approached as necessary, and according to at least one school board member whose campaign was in part funded by liberal and unGodly California sources, it is not necessary.
  So now Johnnathen will have to learn the rest of his life skills without his dad.
  Johnnathen showed that he knew he was loved when he was three and dad had him.
  We played together one afternoon while his dad fixed my friend’s car’s brakes for free.
  When they had to go to the store to get a different part, Johnnathen was taken along on the walk to the store. Jeremiah wanted to make sure they gave my friend the right part this time.
  
  Report this comment
Gonzo
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:08pm
“Duayne Johnson said his son loved his Johnnathen more than anything and treated him “like gold.”
I would argue that point with you grandpa. He loved himself more than anything, including his son, or he wouldn’t have put him in that situation.

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- CatB
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:16pm
  Agree GONZO .. thank God that the grandson was protected from the father .. by his heavenly father.
  
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- Fubared
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:25pm
  Would say it all worked out.
  
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- NanTrek
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:29pm
  Just curious whether this “caring” father had the kid in a certified, government-approved seat belt restraint. I was not aware of air bags in the back seat of VWs either. If Js8c;4jpwhatevertheynamedhim was just sitting in the back seat unrestrained we will never hear about it for fear of violating the Nanny State rules.
  
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- spoiltcap
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 1:32pm
  actually there are way more details to this story than the Des Moines register is reporting. They have put a negative aspect on this man when he has done more for is son than most people out there. I admit driving that fast was wreckless, but I understand where his fear was coming from considering all the details that are not in this article.
  
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