Melissa Marie Sayles

How they died

Vehic/Purs

Deputy Cass Bollman tried to stop William Pinegar for speeding shortly after 11 p.m. on Des Moines' northeast side. The ensuing chase went through the east side where the SUV broadsided a car and hit a tree. Melissa Sayles, a passenger in the SUV, was ejected and died at the scene. Another passenger was injured. Police alleged that it appeared Sayles had shot at deputies during the chase. Pinegar was convicted of vehicular homicide, eluding an officer and driving a car without the owner's consent. The appeals court reversed the eluding conviction because it wasn't proven that Bollman was in uniform during the chase, which is required to find someone guilty.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Melissa Marie Sayles, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources