Meese Sentenced to Ten Years for Fatal Edgewood UTV Crash

Sentencing was held on Tuesday for the driver involved in a fatal UTV crash in Edgewood.

Hanna Meese of Edgewood was sentenced to ten years in prison in Delaware County District Court.  

Authorities say Meese 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 was suspended – but at that time, 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. 

During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday, District Court Judge Monica Ackley sentenced Meese to ten years in prison. Meese must also pay a $1,370 fine (plus a 15% surcharge and court costs), $150,000 mandatory minimum death of victim restitution, out-of-pocket victim restitution and crime victim assistance program restitution.

According to court documents, the Court determined the sentence based on several factors, including the nature of the offense and Meese’s prior record, as well as the fact that Meese “was reckless being twice over the legal limit while operating the UTV and there was a loss of life”. 

Attorney Bernau says Meese was in custody as of Wednesday morning, awaiting transport to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville.