Lang
2/11/25
The second of two teens charged in a 2023 drag racing crash that killed a Black Hawk County woman in Iowa City has reached a plea deal.
19-year-old Kesean Ford of Iowa City was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter and three different counts of homicide by vehicle including while drag racing, while speeding over 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, and while driving recklessly. On Tuesday he pleaded guilty to the excessive speed charge with all others being dropped. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
An official accident report from the Iowa State Patrol indicates on the evening of May 27th 2023, Ford drove a 2008 Saturn Vue through the stop sign at Court Street and 7th Avenue at the same time 19-year-old Elijah Seals drove a 2012 GMC Acadia through the same intersection while both were driving westbound on Court Street at a high rate of speed. The two hit a 2017 Chevy Malibu being driven by 22-year-old Jennifer Russell of Waterloo, who died at University of Iowa Health Care.
Last December, Seals made an Alford plea to one count of homicide by vehicle-reckless driving, and was given a suspended sentence and three years of probation. Seals is also required to pay $150,000 in restitution to Russell’s family.
Ford’s sentencing is set for May 19th.