Iowa City man charged in deadly I-80 crash near Oxford

OXFORD - An Iowa City man who authorities say drove the wrong way on Interstate 80 in an attempt to kill himself faces a vehicular homicide charge for a crash that killed a Texas man.

Stephen D. Lucore, 32, drove a Hyundai Sonata that collided head-on with a Honda Pilot driven by David Sawyer, 31, of Frisco, Texas, about 9:30 p.m. June 16, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

Robert Sawyer, 64, of Nocona, Texas, a passenger in the Sawyer vehicle, was killed in the crash. Mercedes Quevas, 58, also a passenger, was injured.

Authorities said Lucore drove without headlights on and intentionally caused the crash. Lucore said he was trying to kill himself by driving the wrong way down the interstate, according to the criminal complaints.

Lucore was going 80 mph at the time of the crash and was not wearing his seat belt, according to the State Patrol.

The crash happened near I-80's mile marker 234, which is between Tiffin and Oxford.

Lucore has been arrested and faces charges of homicide by vehicle - reckless driving, a Class C felony; and serious injury by vehicle, a Class D felony. If convicted of both counts, Lucore could spend up to 15 years in prison.

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