Urbandale Police Department

3740 86th St.

Urbandale, IA 50322
Ph: 515-278-3938 Fax: 515-278-3939
Rob Johansen-Chief

Media Release

03-01-2024

Urbandale Police Investigating Fatal Accident

Urbandale, Iowa – On March 1st, 2024, at approximately 0330 hours, an Urbandale

Police Officer observed a white Hyundai Elantra reported as stolen traveling
southbound in the 4300 block of 86th Street. A second motor vehicle, a black Kia
Soul, was observed traveling near the stolen motor vehicle. Just prior to
activating the patrol vehicle’s emergency equipment, both vehicles accelerated
away from the officer at a high rate of speed. The officer activated the patrol
vehicle’s emergency equipment and briefly pursued both vehicles.

Almost immediately, near the 3700 block of 86th Street, the Hyundai Elantra and
Kia Soul collided. The collision caused both vehicles to leave the roadway. The
driver of the Kia Soul was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later discovered
the black Kia Soul was recently stolen in Urbandale, Iowa. The name of the
deceased driver is not being released at this time to allow time to notify family
members.

The driver of the white Hyundai Elantra, identified as 18 year old Des Moines
resident Sheldon Ballentine, was uninjured in the accident. Ballentine was taken
into custody at the scene. The vehicle being driven by Sheldon Ballentine, a white
Hyundai Elantra, was previously reported stolen out of West Des Moines.
Ballentine was transported to the Polk County Jail on the below charges:

 Theft 2nd Degree

 Homicide by Motor Vehicle
 Felony Eluding
 Possession of a Control Substance
 Traffic Charges

Media members are invited to a press conference at the Urbandale Police

Department at 1130 hours.

Authority: Public Information Officer Chad Underwood

Urbandale Police Department
Work Phone: 515-278-3910 (Public)
Media Phone: 515-954-8546 (Media Only)