Marengo man sentenced to 15 years for causing deadly crash in 2020

CEDAR RAPIDS — Erik Halvorson was her beloved husband and best friend for 20 years, so without him, Nikki Halvorson has been “forced to make new life,” which is difficult at times because any happy times are “technically happening because he was killed or not here to share the happiness.”

Nikki Halvorson, during a victim impact statement this week, said no one may understand her sorrow and pain because she doesn’t know if many people have “what I had with my Erik.”

They grew up together and “our bond went deeper than any words could ever express,” Nikki Halvorson said in her statement during the sentencing of Edwin Arenivas, who was intoxicated and caused the death of Erik Halvorson in a head-on crash in 2020.

She didn’t know how to put into words what that moment felt like when she learned Erik had been killed on Highway 151 in Walford on March 7, 2020.

“Watching a world you love, in which you had everything invested, implode,” she said. “Watching your childhood memorabilia burn up? Watching an arrow pierce the heart of your best dream for the future?”

The best comfort she had was knowing Erik died instantly and didn’t suffer. She hopes it matters to “someone here that I suffer, that our family and our friends suffer.”

Arenivas, 24, of Marengo, crossed the center line on Highway 151 in Walford, striking a vehicle head-on driven by Erik Halvorson, 32, of Cedar Rapids, on March 7, 2020. He was originally charged with vehicular homicide by vehicle while under the influence that resulted in death, but pleaded in December to vehicular homicide — reckless driving — and serious injury by vehicle.

According to court documents, Arenivas had a blood alcohol content of 0.173 percent. The legal driving limit in Iowa is 0.08 percent.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Chad Kepros sentenced Arenivas on Monday to 15 years in prison. He ran the 10-year and five-year convictions consecutively in accordance with the plea agreement.

During the plea last year, Arenivas admitted to crossing the center lane while intoxicated and striking Halvorson’s vehicle. He also admitted to unintentionally causing Halvorson’s death and driving in a reckless manner.

Halvorson, an electrical apprentice, was on his way to do some overtime work in Amana, his wife, Nikki Halvorson, told The Gazette last year.

As part of the plea, Arenivas waived his rights to appeal and a motion to reconsideration sentencing.

Kepros also ordered him to pay $150,000 victim restitution to Halvorson’s estate, which is required by Iowa law.

During sentencing, Erik Halvorson’s mother, Karen Middleswarth, in a statement said she was struggling along with her family and friends. Their lives were changed because of a choice – one that killed her son.

“I have felt the helplessness these past three years seeing the pain, hurt, frustration, anger and loss Nikki and Amanda (Erik’s sister) have and continue to experience,” Middleswarth said.

She also struggles with other members of her family and friends who have to experience life without her son.

“His quirky sense of humor, his mischievous grin, his lending hand, his joy in meal prepared and shared, his common sense and his compassion,” Middleswarth said.

Erik always told her she had to live forever and she would sadly say she couldn’t, but “would be in his heart forever. I never thought it would be the other way around,” she said.

Middleswarth said she also feels for Arenivas, whose life will forever be impacted by the choice he made. She said she can’t imagine there isn’t fear in his heart.

“My heart aches for this young man,” she said.

Arenivas, during sentencing, did apologize to the family and was tearful throughout the hearing.

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