Iowa man given probation, ordered to pay six-figure fine for fatal 2023 crash

A Washington County man was placed on probation and will pay more than $150,000 in restitution for a fatal crash, likely avoiding jail time.

Drake Brezina, 25, was sentenced to five years probation just over one year after the fatal Aug. 7, 2023, crash. He pled guilty to vehicular homicide and serious injury by vehicle.

Brezina was originally issued a citation for running a red light, but the charge was later upgraded.

In initial criminal filings, police said Brezina admitted to driving distracted when he ran a red light at the intersection of Highway 6 and Boyrum Street in Iowa City, striking 30-year-old Kristina Pearson's vehicle. Police accused Brezina of running the light more than 15 seconds after it had turned red.

Traffic camera footage showed Brezina looking away from the road and holding his phone just before the collision. Pearson was pronounced dead later that day.

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Prosecutors upgrade criminal charge

Brezina was initially issued a citation for running the red light. Prosecutors later charged him with homicide by vehicle, a Class C felony, and serious injury by vehicle, a Class D felony.

He pleaded guilty and was given a 10-year suspended sentence. If Brezina breaks the law or fails to pay the court-imposed fines during his five-year probation period, he must serve the entirety of his sentence. Payments must be made in increments of at least $100 every 30 days.

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Court considers Brezina's background in sentence

Brezina worked as a second-grade teacher and was painted by colleagues, friends, and family in victim impact statements as a "comforting" and "genuine" person and teacher.

His sister wrote, "There is not a moment that goes by that he is not consumed by guilt," and that some nights, "devastating thoughts flood his brain."

The impact statements were submitted to the court a few days before the sentencing but did not factor into the decision, Johnson County Judge Chad Kepros wrote. Brezina's age and lack of criminal history, statements from Pearson's family and counsel on both sides were among the deciding factors.

Brezina said he has sought therapy since the accident. He has also paid Pearson's funeral costs and continues to educate young people about the dangers of distracted driving, court filings show.

"The Court finds the sentences imposed will offer Defendant the maximum opportunity for rehabilitation balanced against the need to protect the community," Kepros wrote.

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Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa man given probation, ordered to pay six-figure fine for fatal 2023 crash