Driver in fatal Tama County crash has lengthy traffic violation record

Laine R. Dennison may soon find himself in a familiar position: having to defend his driving in court.

State police say charges are pending against Dennison, whose pickup crossed Highway 30's centerline Monday afternoon in Tama County and collided head-on with a minivan, killing its driver.

According to Iowa Courts Online, Dennison, 47, of North Liberty, has 38 speeding convictions in the state, most in Eastern Iowa counties including Linn and Johnson. He also has six seat belt violations, one conviction each for careless driving and failure to maintain control, and two for driving while barred.

Dennison was driving west on Highway 30 near the Highway 21 junction just north of Belle Plaine about 2:10 p.m. Monday when his truck crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with the minivan driven by Joseph Starits, 26, of Toledo, according to the Iowa State Patrol.

Starits was killed in the crash. Two passengers, Elizabeth Starits, 24, and Tristan Starits were taken to Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center, where Dennison was also taken. All three have since been discharged from the hospital.

Tristan Starits' age isn't listed on the state patrol report.