The driver who fled from police and crashed into the Embassy Suites hotel in Des Moines’ East Village has been charged by police
Shontay Escada Salenciaga, 45, Des Moines, also known as Derrick Shontay Wilson, has been charged with two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and felony eluding. Police said he’s currently hospitalized with a leg injury. A criminal complaint does not list a physical address for Salenciaga.
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Des Moines man ends pursuit by crashing into hotel
Multiple 911 calls were made around 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16 about a man, now confirmed to be Salenciaga, allgedely trying to assault pedestrians in the 600 block of Robert D. Ray Drive. One caller said they saw Salenciaga on foot, before he allegedly climbed into a vehicle and attempted to hit pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Salenciaga near E. Grand Avenue and Robert D. Ray Drive. He allegedly did not stop, instead ramming into a police car and drove away at a high-rate of speed. He allegedly drove through several red lights at 50 mph before he crashed into an exterior wall of the Embassy Suites Hotel on Locust Street.
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The aftermath from a driver’s crash into the Embassy Suites on July 16, 2025, in Des Moines’ East Village.
Salenciaga was taken into custody after the crash. Des Moines Fire Department took him to a local hospital to treat a leg injury.
Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@gannett.com or on X @chris_meglio.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Police identify driver who crashed into Embassy Suites