Northwest Iowa man given probation for vehicular homicide

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A man has received a suspended prison sentence and probation Monday after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide and two OWI charges.

According to Sioux County Attorney Tom Kunstle, Kaleb Debey, 22, of Alvord, was sentenced for homicide by vehicle – reckless driving and two counts of operating while under the influence. He was given a suspended sentence and five years of probation.

On July 30, 2023 , DeBey was driving with passenger Halee Bliek, 35, of Rock Valley. DeBey was approaching a curve at Filmore Avenue at speeds of 126 miles per hour when he struck a culvert, according to court documents. He allegedly told a 911 dispatcher that he was trying to show his friend Bliek “how fast his car went.”

When the collision occurred, Bliek was allegedly not wearing a seatbelt and went through the windshield while the car was airborne. She then became trapped under the car, according to a crash report .

Both were taken to a hospital, but Bliek was later declared dead as a result of her injuries.

DeBey also admitted that he had been drinking before driving. Tests showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.157, well above the legal limit of 0.08, the release said.

About a month later, on Sep. 1, 2023, Debey was charged with OWI a second time after a police stop, according to a release.

Debey will also have to complete a substance abuse evaluation.

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