Iowa City woman charged with misdemeanors in death of cyclist

IOWA CITY — An Iowa City woman has been charged with three traffic misdemeanors in the death of an Iowa City cyclist in September, according to a news release from the Johnson County Attorney’s Office.

Ok Soon Lee, 77, is charged with failure to maintain control, speeding between 6 and 10 mph over the limit, and failure to drive on the right-hand side of the roadway.

Lee was the driver of a minivan that hit Ashlee Hopkins on Sept. 15 while she was biking on Rohret Road just after 4 p.m. on Sept. 15. Hopkins was participating in the Farm Cycle ride — where cyclists visit farms and have seasonal food and drinks made by local chefs — organized by Iowa City’s Bike Library.

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Hopkins, 41, died from her injuries on Sept. 23, about a week after the crash.

According to search warrant requests filed in the case, witnesses told police that Lee had been driving west on Rohret Road and crossed into oncoming lanes of traffic without any signal or warning, hitting Hopkins, who was traveling east.

The Iowa City Police Department investigated the crash, including reviewing Lee’s medical records, assessing the condition of her vehicle, and performing a forensic analysis of her cellphone, the release states.

“The investigation found no evidence of intoxication or cellphone use. There was not evidence found to indicate that the defendant intentionally engaged in conduct that reflected a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others,” the release states.

The warrant requests state that Lee told an officer she was diabetic and had been feeling light headed before veering into oncoming traffic and hitting Hopkins.

“While the damage caused by the Defendant’s conduct is immeasurable, given the facts of this case there is no probable cause for a higher level of charge,” Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman said in the press release. “Ms. Hopkins death was a tragic loss, and a reminder of the responsibility all drivers bear to operate motor vehicles safely.”

Hopkins was described by friends as “one of the pillar members” of the Iowa City cycling community. She was the development director at Bur Oak Land Trust, a land conservation group based in Iowa City, and previously worked for the Domestic Violence Intervention Program. She also was a volunteer at the Englert Theatre, Iowa City Bike Library, Girls on the Run, United Action for Youth and Rotary, according to her obituary.

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