Swisher man convicted in Cedar Rapids traffic death arrested again

IOWA CITY - A Swisher man who served time in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the death of a pregnant woman in 2002 was arrested Tuesday and faces charges of eluding and drunken driving.

Officials with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office said Galen J. Ludvicek, 53, was on an ATV traveling at 67 mph along 120th Street near Calkins Avenue in Johnson County. When a deputy tried to stop him, officials said, he refused, ran a stop sign and drove another two miles before coming to a halt at St. Patrick's and Walford roads in Linn County.

The deputy arrested Ludvicek and said he showed signs of intoxication and couldn't finish field sobriety tests. He was released Wednesday from the Johnson County Jail after posting $12,500 bond.

On Aug. 6, 2002, Teresa and Robert Osburn were trying to cross First Avenue and 16th Street in Cedar Rapids when Ludvicek hit them with his vehicle. Police reports indicated that his blood-alcohol level registered 0.247 percent - well above the legal limit to drive.

Teresa Osburn, who was eight months pregnant, died several hours after she gave birth. Ludvicek was originally charged with vehicular homicide; after a mistrial, he pleaded guilty in September 2005 to the lesser charge.

His record also includes a conviction for drunken driving in Johnson County last year.