IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Washington, Iowa man has been sentenced following a fatal 2023 crash in Iowa City.
A judge sentenced Drake Brezina to probation and a fine of over $100,000.
According to court documents, Drake Brezina was observed holding his phone in front of his face when he ran a red light and side-swiped another vehicle at the intersection of Highway 6 E and Boyrum Street at around 1 p.m. on August 7, 2023.
Kristina Pearson, 30, of Wellman, was driving north on Boyrum Street when her vehicle was struck by Brezina’s truck. Pearson’s vehicle then struck a third vehicle.
Pearson was taken to the hospital where she later died. A passenger in Pearson’s vehicle was also taken to the hospital in serious condition.
According to court documents, traffic camera footage shows Brezina’s vehicle entering the intersection where the accident occurred 15 seconds after the light turned red.
Investigators also determined that Brezina was driving 70 km/h in a 35 mph zone at the scene of the accident.
According to court documents, Brezina admitted to police that he ran a red light because he was distracted and took his eyes off the road.
In sentencing on Monday, the judge said Brezina was reckless and changed lives forever, but he had no previous convictions and showed sincere remorse for his actions.
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