116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
No additional charges likely in fatal Johnson County crash
Jul. 18, 2016 3:51 pm, Updated: Jul. 18, 2016 10:35 pm
IOWA CITY - The investigation into the crash that killed a City High junior last week is almost complete and no additional charges are expected, law enforcement officials said Monday.
Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said his office's investigation into the May 11 crash on Dane Road that killed 16-year-old JC Meardon isn't quite finished. However, Pulkrabek said investigators are 'fairly certain” no additional charges are to be filed against the driver, 31-year-old Julia Elgatian.
The sheriff's office was called to a car-pedestrian crash on Dane Road just south of the Highway 218 overpass around 10:39 p.m. July 11. Authorities said Meardon and two other boys were walking along the side of the road when Meardon and one other boy were hit by Elgatian's minivan. Elgatian was cited for not having a valid driver's license.
Meardon died Tuesday of his injuries.
An investigation into the fatal crash showed the three boys were playing a game called 'Hostage” at the time of the crash. The game involves blindfolding the participants and dropping them off at an unknown location. They then have to describe to a driver where they are so they can be picked up. Authorities said the boys believed Elgatian's van was a friend coming to pick them up and were unable to move out of the way when they realized the vehicle was not slowing down.
Pulkrabek said Elgatian shouldn't have been driving without a license, but there was nothing else she did that contributed to the fatal crash.
A celebration of life for Meardon is scheduled for from 5-9 p.m. Saturday in the cafeteria at City High, 1900 Morningside Drive in Iowa City. Arrangements are by Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City.
Members of the Iowa City High School soccer team light luminaries at a candlelight vigil for Iowa City High School junior J.C. Meardon at the City High soccer field on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Family and friends of the City High soccer player organized the vigil to remember Meardon, who was struck by a vehicle late Monday night and later died at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)
JC Meardon, a soccer player for City High, died after being struck by a car Monday night. (Tim Ward Photography).
A memorial rock rests in a flower bed just outside of City High School. The rock was placed after student and soccer player JC Meardon died after being hit by a mini van. (Madison Arnold/The Gazette).
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