Trial begins for former Keokuk County Sheriff deputy in hayrack ride incident
A former Keokuk County Sheriff's deputy, David Heady, is on trial facing 13 counts of child endangerment nearly two years after a hayrack ride ended in a crash that injured several middle school students.
Prosecutors allege that Heady, who hosted the event with his wife, was intoxicated and riding as a passenger in the truck pulling the trailer. The driver, Daniel Brubaker, has already pleaded guilty to similar charges.
During opening statements, Assistant Attorney General Frank Severino described the incident as "completely preventable." Prosecutors claim Heady and Brubaker drank heavily before driving a truck and a gooseneck trailer carrying nearly 30 children.
Witnesses testified that the truck and trailer were traveling at speeds of over 30 mph without any safety restraints for the children. The ride ended when the truck and trailer veered into a ditch.
April Davis, a parent who was helping at the party that night, testified about the chaos following the crash. She said she discovered Heady and Brubaker had been drinking when she smelled alcohol on their breath after the crash. Davis also recounted the horrifying scene, including finding a 12-year-old girl face-down in the ditch, not moving.
"I thought [she] was dead," Davis said.
That child had been thrown from the trailer and was run over. She had broken her pelvis in four places and broken four vertebrae in her lower back. At least two children were airlifted to Iowa City for further medical treatment.
The defense, led by attorney Jeff Powell, argued that Heady was not responsible for the crash. Powell stated that Brubaker, who has already admitted guilt, was solely to blame.
Day 2 of testimony will begin Wednesday at 8:30 a.m.
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