Hunter
09/29/23
A Washington Iowa man was arrested early Friday for his involvement in a traffic accident last month that killed a driver.
Police say 24-year-old Drake Breznia was heading eastbound on Highway 6 East just before 1pm on August 7th and ran a red light at Boyrum Street. He struck the broadside of another vehicle, whose driver and passenger were transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in serious condition. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Kristina Pearson of Wellman, ultimately died from her injuries. The passenger had to be resuscitated during his time at the hospital.
Police reviewed traffic camera video and allegedly saw Breznia holding his cellphone up to his face in the seconds leading to the crash. It also reportedly shows Breznia going through the intersection a full 15 seconds after the light had turned red. Other traffic camera footage blocks away from the crash site also allegedly showed Breznia holdng his hand in front of his face, away from the steering wheel.
A search warrant for Breznia’s vehicle and cellphone was obtained as part of the accident investigation. Event data from the vehicle showed Breznia traveling at approximately 44 miles an hour in a 35-mile per hour zone at the time of the crash. Cellphone data reportedly showed he was on Facebook and Instagram prior to getting behind the wheel, and showed Breznia sending and receiving messages over social media apps near the site of the accident.
After completing their investigation, police requested a warrant for Breznia’s arrest on Thursday. He was taken into custody just before 5am Friday and charged with Reckless Homicide and Serious Injury by Vehicle. If convicted on both counts, he could be sentenced to up to fifteen years in prison.