90-Day Jail Term Imposed in August Newton Police Chase and Accident

A 36 year old Newton man who rolled his car while fleeing a traffic stop in early August has been sentenced to 90 days in jail. Matthew Allen Bakalar pleaded guilty to Eluding Over 25mph Above the Speed Limit. He was sentenced by District Associate Judge Steven Holwerda, and will serve the jail time simultaneous with a prison sentence that has him incarcerated at the medium security Clarinda Correctional Facility. On Saturday August 3^rd, around 12:30 in the morning, a Newton Officer initiated a traffic stop on North 19^th Avenue West for registration and equipment violations. But the Police report say Bakalar didn’t pull over and continued driving on West 4^th Street North and then Highway F-36 West, running the stop sign at Highway 14. After reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, Bakalar reportedly turned north off Highway F-36 and onto West 48^th Street North. He then lost control, causing his vehicle to roll into the east ditch. Officers claim Bakalar attempted to run away on foot, but voluntarily stopped when an officer ordered him too. He was then taken into custody without further incident.