Teen driver was speeding, using social media at time of fatal collision with cyclist Andrew Pavlovec in Coralville

CORALVILLE — The driver who struck a cyclist in Coralville last month was speeding and using social media at the time of the fatal collision, police said.

The 16-year-old driver in the April 6 crash that killed Andrew Pavlovec, 36, of North Liberty, faces a charge of vehicular homicide, Coralville Police Chief Shane Kron said Monday. State law prevents naming minors charged with crimes that are not forcible felonies.

Kron said that around 5:58 a.m. April 6, the driver was southbound in the 2400 block of 12th Avenue in Coralville when she hit Pavlovec from behind. Pavlovec was in the traffic lane and using both a headlight and taillight, Kron said.

The driver was “actively using a social media application” at the time of the crash, Kron said. She also was traveling more than 20 mph over the 35 mph speed limit, he said. Kron said he was not sure which app the driver was using.

Because the charge is a felony, the driver was taken to the Linn County Detention Center on May 3, Kron said. She is no longer in custody.

According to his obituary, Pavlovec was born in West Union and graduated from Turkey Valley High School. He studied mathematics and engineering at the University of Iowa and was employed by Centro Manufacturing at the time of his death. He also volunteered as a suicide hotline and sexual abuse counselor.

Pavlovec was married and had two sons. He was a registered organ and tissue donor and his liver, heart, kidneys and lungs were donated after his death, according to his obituary.

“This sharing of life will offer so much hope and possibility to others,” the obituary reads. “Many lives will be impacted by Andy’s decision to care for others in a most selfless way; and because of his decision, he will forever be remembered as a hero to many.”

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