Two teens charged in Iowa City crash that killed a woman in May

IOWA CITY — Two 17-year-olds have been charged in Johnson County Court with homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter after a crash in May that killed Jennifer Russell, 22, of Waterloo, according to a Wednesday news release from the Johnson County Attorney’s Office.

On May 27, just before 11 p.m., Russell was stopped at a stop sign at the East Court Street and South Seventh Avenue in Iowa City. As she pulled into the intersection, Russell’s car was hit by a 2008 Saturn Vue being driven by one of juveniles.

The other juvenile was driving a 2012 GMC Acadia alongside the Vue. Both were driving more than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit, which is 25 mph, and both failed to stop at a stop sign, causing the collision with Russell, according to the release.

Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith will ask a judge to move the cases for both teens from juvenile court to adult — district — court.

Zimmermann Smith said Wednesday the charges were delayed because she was waiting for the Iowa State Police to complete the “extensive technical investigation“ to determine the appropriate charges.

The juveniles were not named in the news release, but a crash report issued by the Iowa State Patrol identified the drivers as Kesean Ford and Elijah Seals, both 17 and both of Johnson County.

The two teenagers were also named by Russell’s parents in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed in June, which claimed the two teens were drag racing that night when they caused the crash.

The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice on Oct. 9 on the grounds that the suit was served directly to the teenagers. Under Iowa law, such documents have to be served to a minor’s parents or guardian. The lawsuit can be refiled.

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