Urbana man sentenced to 30 years for running over, killing woman

CEDAR RAPIDS — The son of a woman who was run over and killed by a drunken driver Dec. 1, 2019, said Monday he can’t look at a photo of “the most important person in my life” without seeing her lying dead in a parking lot.

Jackson Greenhaw, tearing up during his victim impact statement, said his mother, Kimberley Anne Swore, 50, of Center Point, told him she first met Bret D. Klima when he was driving a boat recklessly — “doing doughnuts” — and she feared Klima was going to run over her son, who was water skiing.

“Four years later, I watched you run over my parents,” the son said. “The last two years, I’ve been watching you get drunk and playing on the river.”

He also found out Klima had a “going-away party” last Saturday, which was the “most disrespectful thing you could do. I won’t forgive you.”

Klima, 32, of Urbana, pleaded guilty and was sentenced on one count each of homicide by vehicle — operating under the influence and serious injury by a vehicle. He admitted he unintentionally caused the death of Swore, was intoxicated while driving and unintentionally caused serious injury to Jack Greenhaw, 46, of Vinton, Swore’s boyfriend and Jackson’s father.

A criminal complaint stated several witnesses told police a driver of a Chevrolet Suburban, later identified as Klima, had “floored it,” rapidly accelerating in reverse and hitting Swore and Jack Greenhaw on Dec. 1, 2019, in the parking lot of bar in Center Point.

Witnesses said the driver of the Suburban left without providing information or help, according to court documents.

Jack Greenhaw suffered a punctured lung and five broken ribs.

Sentencing

Assistant Linn County Attorney Molly Edwards asked the judge to sentence Klima to consecutive terms totaling up to 30 years in prison because he caused a death, fled the scene while intoxicated and purposely evaded police for five hours. He also was a “danger to the community” that night while driving around intoxicated, she said.

During that time, he only “looked after himself,” Edwards said. Klima had a chance to say goodbye to his children — something Swore didn’t have a chance to do, and Klima never tried to get help for Swore and Jack Greenhaw, she noted.

Edwards also pointed out that Klima had been released about four months before from his probation term on a 2018 assault causing bodily injury conviction.

Tyler Johnston, Klima’s lawyer, said there was no dispute that this was a “tragic” accident. The “cruel irony” was that they were all friends.

Johnston argued that because this was one accident — Klima hit both victims simultaneously and not in two separate actions — the sentences should run concurrently for a total of up to 25 years.

Johnston also noted that Klima had many family members and friends in the courtroom who were supporting him.

During the sentencing, Klima said he was sorry for the fatality. He fled that night because he was “scared and weak in the moment.” He also hoped the victims’ families could forgive him someday.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill sentenced Klima to 25 years on the vehicular homicide and five years on the other charge. He ran the sentences consecutively for up to 30 years in prison because there was “two separate and distinct victims” and consecutive terms are “justified.”

Thornhill also revoked Klima’s driver’s license for six years and ordered him to pay $150,000 in restitution to Swore’s heirs or her estate, which both are required by Iowa law.

Other victim statements

Swore’s sister, Jennifer Brandt, in her statement acknowledged that they were all friends with Klima, but when he ran over her sister and left her without help, that changed everything. He took her only sibling from her — “My best friend, the rock for the family.”

Brandt, sobbing throughout her statement, said she couldn’t get over the fact that Klima left the scene, and she didn’t understand why he delayed this process for two years if he was going to plead guilty.

Swore’s mother, Ruby Long, in her statement read by an advocate with Horizon’s Survivors Program, said Klima stole her daughter’s future, her joy of grandchildren and time with her family. She hopes he decides to change and she hopes God will forgive him.

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