West Union Man To Serve Up to 25 Years for Vehicle Chase that Killed 18-Year-Old Son
A northeast Iowa man will serve up to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to a vehicle chase that resulted in the death of his 18-year-old son.
38-year-old Curtis Williams of West Union was charged with homicide by vehicle while operating under the influence, a Class B felony, in connection with incidents on September 26, 2022, when a Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop of Williams’ vehicle on U.S. Highway 63, but he refused to stop and a pursuit followed at speeds in excess of 105 mph. During the chase, Williams lost control of the vehicle in the curve at the northbound 196-mile marker exit and it rolled into the ditch. His son, Jaxon Williams, was a passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries suffered in the wreck.
Charges against Williams, which also included eluding-while operating under the influence, a Class D felony; plus OWI and driving while license revoked, both serious misdemeanors. were filed in late December, he was arrested in January, and initially pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, in a hearing Monday (03.20) in Chickasaw County District Court, Williams agreed to plead guilty to vehicular homicide, for which he was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to the victim’s estate.
Williams was also sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to eluding while under the influence and 365 days in jail for pleading guilty to OWI. Those sentences can be served concurrently and he must serve at least half of his prison term before he is eligible for parole.
