Latest news with #JohnsonCountyAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Drag racing' teen guilty of vehicular homicide sentenced for fatal Iowa City crash
A second teenager accused of drag racing in a fatal Iowa City crash has been sentenced to serve a maximum of 10 years in prison. Kesean Ford and Elijah Seals, then each 17 at the time, collided with 22-year-old Jennifer Russell's vehicle while locked in what police believe was a side-by-side "drag race" down East Court Street on May 27, 2023. More: Iowa's Big Grove Brewery is headed south, revealing plans for Kansas City taproom Seals and Ford allegedly failed to stop at the posted sign and their vehicles collided with Russell's car, which had just entered the intersection. Witnesses reported seeing the vehicles traveling at a high speed down Court Street, according to police reports. Russell died from her injuries a short time later. Russell's family filed a civil lawsuit in July 2023 against Seals, Ford and the companies that insure their vehicles. The case was dismissed later that year without prejudice because of a procedural error. The Johnson County Attorney's Office filed criminal charges less than a week after the lawsuit was dismissed. Ford, 19, was sentenced Monday, May 19, after pleading guilty in February to one count of homicide by a vehicle traveling more than 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, a Class "C" felony in Iowa. A judge sentenced him to an "indeterminate term not to exceed 10 years," meaning Ford could be released before serving the full length of his term. More: Man charged in Iowa City bank robbery denied insanity plea, sentenced to 5 years in prison Seals pleaded guilty in 2024 to reckless driving causing homicide by vehicle. As part of their plea deals, Seals and Ford agreed to pay the Russell family $150,000 in victim restitution. Ford is also responsible for approximately $15,000 in additional payments for funeral costs and other minor court expenses. Seals entered an Alford Plea in September, which allowed him to plead guilty without admitting he committed a crime. He instead only acknowledged that a jury would likely find him guilty of vehicular homicide because of reckless driving if the case went to trial. In December, Seals was given a 10-year suspended sentence. He was informed he could avoid prison time if he completed three years of probation under certain conditions, including "commit(ing) no new law violations." Seals' license was also revoked as part of his plea agreement and sentencing. More: Gov. Kim Reynolds signs law banning citizen police review boards. What the bill does: On May 14, Iowa City police initiated a traffic stop on Seals' vehicle. The 19-year-old allegedly "ran from the vehicle on foot" before the officer reached the car. Criminal complaints indicate that the officer didn't immediately pursue Seals, though he was apprehended when he allegedly returned "to claim the vehicle." Seals' probation is supervised by the Sixth Judicial Circuit's Department of Correctional Services. A hearing will be held if his probation officer decides to revoke his probation or if he holds Seals in contempt of court. A judge could decide to affirm that Seals was in contempt of court and sentence him to jail time or revoke his probation. Seals would be required to serve the remainder of the 10-year prison sentence if his probation is revoked, minus time served. Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: 2nd 'Drag racing' teen sentenced to prison for fatal Iowa City crash
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Eastern Iowa company charged with felony for lack of insurance following employee's death
The Johnson County Attorney's Office has filed felony charges against a Scott County company for failing to have workers' compensation insurance after a worker died at its Iowa City location. Hawkeye Waste Systems, Inc. and four employees and "corporate officers" were charged with failure to maintain workers' compensation insurance in the Johnson County District Court on Wednesday, April 23. That charge is a Class "D" felony in Iowa, punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. More: Federal restraining order says UI students cannot be deported, demands status reinstatement The lawsuit also names James and Chris Watts, Mary Sheen and Chris Dohrer. Dohrer is listed as the general manager of Watts Trucking, the parent company of Hawkeye Waste Systems, on LinkedIn. Watts Trucking was founded in 1948 and operates out of the Quad Cities, according to its website. More: North Liberty man sentenced to 50 years in prison for Iowa City break-in, sexual assault According to court documents, Matthew Reuwsaat sustained "severe head trauma in a workplace accident" at the company's Iowa City location on Oct. 31, 2024. An online memorial post indicated that the accident involved a skid loader. Reuwsaat died at the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center on Nov. 9. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA, and the Iowa Division of Workers' Compensation investigated and allegedly discovered that Hawkeye Waste Systems "does not have worker's compensationinsurance as required by Iowa Code, and has not been approved to be self-insured by theIowa Insurance Division." Court documents accuse Hawkeye Waste Systems of "knowingly and willfully engaging in business without first obtaining" workers' compensation insurance, which is required by law. "Prioritizing public safety means holding employers accountable for providing basic protections for workers and their families as State law requires them to do," County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann-Smith said in a statement. Arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., May 19 at the Johnson County Courthouse. Reuwsaat, 61, was born and raised in Newton, Iowa and graduated from Newton High School, according to an online obituary. He worked as a diesel mechanic in Iowa City. Reuwsaat married his "soulmate" in 2015. He had one daughter and three grandchildren. "Matt had a kind heart, always willing to help anyone he could, no matter how well he knew them," the obituary said. "He never expected anything in return from those he helped. He also had a talent for fixing things and was willing to tackle any repairs." Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Eastern Iowa company faces felony charge following employee's death
