Teen charged in fatal Iowa crash
By Mia Tucker
DES MOINES, Iowa — A 17-year-old has been referred to juvenile court on vehicular homicide charges for a deadly December crash — but police are requesting his case be waived to adult court.
The Des Moines Police Department released more information Monday about the crash that happened on December 23, 2023, just south of the intersection of SE 14th Street and Watrous Avenue.
Police said a 17-year-old male was driving faster than 70 mph, in a 40 mph zone, when his Chrysler 300 crashed into a Lexus ES350 that was turning onto SE 14th Street from a business parking lot.
The 17-year-old was also under the influence of cannabis at the time of the crash, according to police.
The driver of the Lexus, 32-year-old Roberto Eduardo Rodriguez Peterson died from injuries received in the crash.
The teen driver is now charged with Homicide By Vehicle — OWI and Homicide By Vehicle — Reckless Driving. His name will not be released until the case is waived to adult court.
