MASON CITY — Court proceedings involving a Sheffield woman arrested after crashing her vehicle into a house and short pursuit in Mason City have been suspended pending the results of a mental competency exam.
A criminal complaint says 27-year-old Dakota Nicholson crashed her vehicle into the front of a house in southwestern Mason City on the morning of December 31st, damaging the home’s gas meter as well as a tree. When law enforcement showed up at the scene, she allegedly backed into one of the squad cars and drove away, with a short pursuit ending after she allegedly crashed head-on into another squad car near the intersection of 1st and South Adams.
Nicholson was charged with first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal mischief, eluding, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to obey a stop sign and failure to maintain control.
Nicholson’s attorney recently filed a motion for a competency evaluation, asserting that she has made statements that question whether or not she is able to appreciate the charges and assist in her defense. The motion also states that Nicholson has a mental health committal order.
District Judge Colleen Weiland has ordered that Nicholson be transported to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale and submit to a psychological and psychiatric evaluation to determine her competency.