Iowa City man claimed he wasn’t driving when he backed into two parked cars

Hunter
04/27/21

An Iowa City man arrested for OWI claimed that although he was sitting in the driver’s seat, he “wasn’t driving” when he backed into two parked cars Monday afternoon.

Police were called to the Hilltop Mobile Home Park on Waterfront Drive at approximately 5:40pm on reports of a motor vehicle accident. According to subjects on scene, 44-year-old Cory McDaniels was backing up his vehicle when someone reached in a turned the wheel, causing him to hit a parked vehicle.

McDaniels then allegedly put the car in reverse and hit another parked vehicle on scene. Those on scene stated that he “really wasn’t driving, just backing up his car.”  McDaniels, who was located on the porch of his residence, admitted to being in the front driver’s seat at the time of the accident, but also stated he wasn’t driving.

McDaniels allegedly admitted to drinking, and had bloodshot watery eyes, impaired balance and slurred speech. He showed significant impairment on preliminary testing, but refused Datamaster testing.

He was charged with OWI first offense and Public Intoxication. McDaniels could be sentenced to a maximum of 13 months in jail if convicted on both counts.