Sentencing Next Month for Driver in Fatal Edgewood UTV Crash

Sentencing will be held next month for the driver involved in a fatal UTV crash in Edgewood.

Authorities say Hanna Meese of Edgewood was driving a UTV on May 2nd, 2021 on Woods Edge Drive when she lost control on a curve. Both she and her passenger, Jordan Cabalka of Edgewood, were ejected. 

Cabalka died at the scene. Meese suffered serious injuries and was hospitalized at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. 

Meese was charged with Homicide by Vehicle – Operating While Intoxicated, a Class B felony. Her case was set to go to trial on September 25th, but Meese and prosecutors reached a plea deal the week prior. Meese agreed to a lesser charge of Homicide or Serious Injury by Vehicle, a Class C felony. Through the plea deal, the potential 10-year prison sentence for that charge is suspended. There is a five-year period of supervised probation and a fine of $1,370, plus court costs and a $150,000 payment.

Delaware County Attorney John Bernau says the Court could still sentence Meese up to the maximum for a Class C felony regardless of what might be agreed to because the agreement between the State and defense is not binding on the Court. 

Sentencing is set for November 12th.