17-year-old will be tried as adult for vehicular homicide

A 17-year-old Metro High student charged with two counts of vehicular homicide will be tried in adult court, according to a Linn County Juvenile judge's ruling.

Ramius Hardiman, of Cedar Rapids, was charged last month with two counts of vehicular homicide after a crash on Nov. 8 that killed Jose Mendoza, 17.

A judge ruled late Friday the case will be transferred to adult court, as requested by the state based on the seriousness of the crime and Hardiman's age – he turns 18 in January – which would provide less opportunity for services in the juvenile system.

Hardiman had an initial appearance Saturday and a revised criminal complaint filed Monday accused Hardiman of unintentionally causing Mendoza's death by operating a vehicle while he was intoxicated, and the other count alleges he unintentionally caused Mendoza's death by driving in a reckless manner.

Additional information on this complaint included Hardiman's alcohol concentration level of .06. His blood specimen was taken at the hospital 2-1/2 hours after the crash. There were bottles of alcohol found in the car and at the crash scene, according to the revised complaint.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Nic Scott said Hardiman is still considered driving under the influence whether it's below the legal limit or not. Anyone driving under the influence can be charged with drunken driving, depending on the circumstances, such as a crash that results in injury or death, he said.

According to a police report, Mendoza was wearing his seat belt in the back seat of the car Hardiman was driving as he lost control. The car rolled and hit a utility pole in the 3300 block of Cottage Grove Avenue SE. Mendoza was flown to an Iowa City hospital where he died.

Two other passengers in the car, Katie Opperman, 18, of Central City, and Bostan Andrew, 17, of Cedar Rapids, were not seriously hurt. All four of the teenagers were students at Metro High School in Cedar Rapids.