Officer told teens to keep music quiet just before fatal crash

About an hour before a deadly car crash, a police officer told the group of teenagers involved to turn down their music, police confirmed Tuesday.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said an officer went to 3333 Pioneer Ave. SE around 12:14 a.m. Monday after a report of a noise disturbance in the area. The officer arrived to find several teenagers who were listening to music coming from a car.

Identified at the time were 17-year-olds Ramius Hardiman, Jose Mendoza and Bostan Andrew, all of Cedar Rapids, and Katie Opperman, 18, of Central City, as well as other teens.

“At that time, they were just in the parking lot, sitting, talking and listening to music,” Hamblin said. “No alcohol was seen by the officer.”

Police activity logs show the officer was at the scene for about 15 minutes. Hamblin said the teens were told to turn down the music, but no citations were issued.

An hour after the officer left, all four teens were involved in a rollover crash on Cottage Grove Avenue SE that eventually killed Mendoza. Investigators determined Hardiman lost control as the car crested a steep hill near Cottage Grove Meadows SE, causing it to roll and hit a utility pole.

Mendoza was the only one seriously hurt and was flown to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, where he later died.

Opperman was charged with public intoxication and possession of alcohol under the legal age. Blood tests were done to determine if Hardiman was legally drunk. Hamblin said no other charges would be filed until those results are known and all witness statements are collected.

Interviews with the other occupants of the car continued Tuesday. Police hope to wrap up their investigation this week.

“They're still trying to find out what was going on up until (the crash),” Hamblin said.