Drunken driver’s actions ‘ripped out our hearts,’ taking away loving husband, father

CEDAR RAPIDS — The wife of a Springville man, who was killed in a fatal crash on Feb. 7, 2023, said Tuesday she knows vehicular homicide isn’t considered the same as a homicide, but she doesn’t understand why.

“This was murder,” Bridgette Vascik, wife of Dylan Vascik, 46, said during her victim impact statement. “This was premeditated — he planned to drive drunk and not have a designated driver. He has shown no remorse.”

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Vascik, in an emotional statement, told Zachary Twachtmann, 34, of Anamosa, how his “selfish” and careless actions “ripped out our hearts” that day, leaving her without a “life partner” and his daughters — 10 and 12 years old at the time — without their “daddy” to support them and share in all their milestones of awards, graduations, weddings and children.

The small courtroom was packed with family and friends in support of Vascik during the hearing.

Vascik still has nightmares of her husband hanging upside down in his vehicle after Twachtmann crashed into him and Dylan’s vehicle rolled over. A friend had been talking to Dylan on the phone when Twachtmann struck his vehicle and the friend heard a man — Twachtmann — screaming that he “killed” him. The friend called Bridgette and she went to the crash site and saw the aftermath.

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Sixth Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns sentenced Twachtmann to up to 25 years in prison. He previously pleaded to an amended charge of homicide by vehicle — operating under the influence.

Twachtmann also was ordered to pay $150,000 in victim restitution to Dylan Vascik’s heirs or to his estate, which is required by Iowa law.

Twachtmann, during sentencing, said he was “sorry for the events that happened that day. I feel for the family every day. I am truly sorry for everything.”

According to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at 2:35 p.m. Feb. 7, 2023 to the fatality crash near Springville Road and Schmidt Lane. Twachtmann was suspected of being intoxicated at the time of the crash, the criminal complaint stated.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jennifer Erger, after sentencing, said Twachtmann had been drinking at two bars before the crash happened. He was driving on a paved road — Whittier Road — but then took a shortcut to Springville Road — a gravel road. He was driving southbound and the crash investigation determined he was driving over 80 mph.

He swerved off the roadway and then stuck the vehicle driven by Dylan Vascik, who was only about a mile from his home, according to a sheriff’s report. Vascik’s vehicle rolled over upon impact and he died at the scene.

The scene of a fatal crash at Schmidt Lane & Springville Road, north of Springville, on Tues., Feb. 7, 2023. (Linn County Sheriff’s Office photo)

Twachtmann was taken to a hospital for minor injuries and his passenger, Mackenna Scofield, 25, of Anamosa also was taken to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Erger said Twachtmann’s blood alcohol level after arrest was .118 percent, over the legal limit of .08 percent, and it also showed he had marijuana in his system. According to experts, who would have testified at trial, his BAC was “likely higher” at the time of the crash.

Other victim statements

Bridgette Vascik also read statements from her daughters.

Jasmine Vascik, now 12, said all the “fun and excitement” they had as a family “went away” when her father was killed because “someone chose to drive drunk.” Now she goes to therapy.

The Vasciks’ other daughter, Hannah Vascik, now 14, said she would never forget that day. A day that was supposed to be fun turned into a “sickening” day. She was getting her hair cut and colored when her hairstylist got a call, left the room and came back with tears in her eyes.

The stylist took them home and drove the “long way around,” Hannah said in her statement. The ride was quiet and she started worrying. She knew something was going on. She initially thought something happened to her grandfather, until they got to the house and he was there, along with other grandparents and friends.

Hannah said her mom told her and Jasmine that their dad loved them and was proud of them. Then, tearing up, she said their dad was in a crash and “he didn’t make it.”

She felt sick to her stomach and went into the bathroom to cry.

Hannah said her father would always come into her room just to hang out. He would lie on the floor or the other bed and she would read him whatever she was “into” at the time. Sometimes, she would use him as “dictionary” for words she didn’t know or understand.

Hannah, in her statement, also chastised Twachtmann for his decision to drive drunk.

Dan Vascik, Dylan’s brother, in his statement said he was angry, upset and frustrated that Twachtmann took away his brother, but in time, he had to forgive the situation. He asked Twachtmann to “reflect” on his actions and he hoped he would “get to know God.”

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