Charges filed in fatal Tama County crash

Charges have been filed against the driver involved in a deadly crash on Highway 30 earlier this month.

Laine R. Dennison, 47, from North Liberty is charged with driving the wrong way on a two lane highway and financial liability for the accident.  Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Bob Coxsays an aggravated misdemeanor charge for driving while barred is pending, and several other charges are still being investigated.

The crash happened March 7 on Highway 30 near the Highway 21 junction, north of Belle Plaine.  The State Patrol says Dennison's truck crossed the median and crashed into a minivan driven by 26-year-old Joseph Starits, killing him.  Starits' wife and infant son were also in the car.  Both were treated for injuries at a local hospital and released.

This traffic incident was not Dennison's first.

Court records show he had more than 30 traffic violations leading up this accident, and the Department of Transportation revoked his work permit to drive last September.