Waterloo police officer charged in fatal motorcycle crash that killed his girlfriend

WATERLOO — A Waterloo police officer has been charged in the 2024 motorcycle crash that killed his girlfriend.

Keaton Scott Northup, 34, has been charged with homicide by vehicle -operating under the influence and homicide by vehicle — reckless driving.

He surrendered at the Black Hawk County Jail Wednesday with bond initially set at $100,000.

Bond was lowered to $25,000, and Northup was released after posting bond.

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The charges are the result of the death of Jenna Marie Mills, 29, who was a passenger on Northup's Harley-Davidson, which crashed into a metal barrier on Interstate 380 near mile marker 73 while he was off duty around 10 p.m. June 1, 2024.

Investigators followed Northup's motorcycle route through Iowa Department of Transportation traffic cameras in the area, which also captured the crash itself.

"He was observed weaving in and out of traffic, passing vehicles using the inside lanes without signaling, and driving with his hazard light on. The investigation determined Northup was operating the motorcycle more than 100 mph along Interstate 380 prior to the crash which is well above of the posted speed limits ranging from 45 to 65 mph," court records state.

Northup lost control on a curve in the roadway, and the state calculated that the motorcycle was going more than 100 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of impact, according to the records.

Both Northup and Mills were thrown from the motorcycle. Mills died and Northup was seriously injured.

Authorities at the scene indicated they smelled alcohol on Northup, records state, and the investigation revealed he had been drinking in multiple bars and had consumed at least 10 alcoholic beverages.

Surveillance videos from bars showed Northup stumbling and almost walking into a pole, according to records. A blood sample indicated a .292 blood-alcohol level, which is more than three times the legal limit.

Since the crash, Northup purchased a different Harley-Davidson motorcycle and was observed driving the motorcycle after visiting a local bar, records state.

Waterloo Police declined to comment on the matter. Northup still is an officer with the department and has been on paid administrative leave since the crash.

The case is being prosecuted by Frank Severino with the Iowa Attorney General's Office because the Black Hawk County Attorney's Office indicated it was unable to prosecute this case due to a conflict of interest.

Judge Thomas Bitter of Dubuque has been assigned to oversee the case.

Court records show the attorney for Mills' estate was granted permission to settle a wrongful death claim with Northup's insurance company in April. Mills, of Waterloo, was a graduate of West High School and worked as a manager at Flowerama.

Northup started at the Waterloo Police Department in February 2016 and was assigned to the department's Violent Crime Apprehension Team. He was involved in the March 2024 officer-involved shooting of John Carl Piazza during a standoff on Hartman Avenue and was later cleared by the Iowa Attorney General's Office.