North Iowa Man Charged in January Death of Pedestrian Hit by Vehicle in Parking Lot

An arrest has been made in connection with the death of a pedestrian who died after she was struck by a vehicle in North Iowa grocery store parking lot earlier this year.

Mason City Police say 46-year-old Timothy Best of Mason City was taken into custody Thursday (07.16) morning on a charge of homicide by vehicle through reckless driving, a Class C felony.

The Iowa State Patrol says the incident occurred about 2:30 PM on January 31st in the parking lot of the Fareway store at 400 North Delaware Avenue in Mason City. A Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Best was moving south in the parking lot and struck 75-year-old Sharon Hamm of Mason City.

ISP says Hamm was taken by Mason City Ambulance to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, but did not survive.

According to the criminal complaint, Best caused Hamm’s death by “operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner with willful or wanton disregard for safety of persons or property.” 

MCPD worked with ISP and the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office on the investigation, which Police Chief Mike McKelvey says is ongoing. 

No additional details are being released at this time.

Best has been released from the Cerro Gordo County Jail after posting bail in the form of a $15,000 surety bond.

He is slated for an initial appearance in Cerro Gordo County District Court on Wednesday (07.22).