Iowa criminal charge
Homicide or serious injury by vehicle in Iowa
Homicide or serious injury by vehicle is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 707.6A. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 707.6A.
What is the penalty for homicide or serious injury by vehicle in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 25 years (Homicide by vehicle while intoxicated — Person unintentionally causes the death of another by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, in violation of section 321J.2.; indeterminate term (§902.3): the statute sets only the maximum; release is determined by the board of parole. No fine for a class “B” felony under §902.9) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Homicide by vehicle — reckless driving, eluding, or excessive speeding — Person unintentionally causes the death of another through reckless driving, eluding a law enforcement vehicle, or excessive speeding as described in the paragraphs of subsection 2.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Homicide by vehicle — reckless driving, eluding, or excessive speeding — Person unintentionally causes the death of another through reckless driving, eluding a law enforcement vehicle, or excessive speeding as described in the paragraphs of subsection 2.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Homicide by vehicle while drag racing — Person unintentionally causes the death of another while drag racing, in violation of section 321.278.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Homicide by vehicle while drag racing — Person unintentionally causes the death of another while drag racing, in violation of section 321.278.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Serious injury by vehicle — Person unintentionally causes a serious injury, as defined in section 702.18, by any of the means described in subsection 1 (intoxication) or subsection 2 (reckless driving, eluding, or speeding).; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Serious injury by vehicle — Person unintentionally causes a serious injury, as defined in section 702.18, by any of the means described in subsection 1 (intoxication) or subsection 2 (reckless driving, eluding, or speeding).; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code).
How is homicide or serious injury by vehicle classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide by vehicle while intoxicated | Class “B” Felony | Person unintentionally causes the death of another by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, in violation of section 321J.2. | Iowa Code § 707.6A(1) |
| Homicide by vehicle — reckless driving, eluding, or excessive speeding | Class “C” Felony | Person unintentionally causes the death of another through reckless driving, eluding a law enforcement vehicle, or excessive speeding as described in the paragraphs of subsection 2. | Iowa Code § 707.6A(2) |
| Homicide by vehicle while drag racing | Class “D” Felony | Person unintentionally causes the death of another while drag racing, in violation of section 321.278. | Iowa Code § 707.6A(3) |
| Serious injury by vehicle | Class “D” Felony | Person unintentionally causes a serious injury, as defined in section 702.18, by any of the means described in subsection 1 (intoxication) or subsection 2 (reckless driving, eluding, or speeding). | Iowa Code § 707.6A(4) |
Common questions about homicide or serious injury by vehicle in Iowa
Is homicide or serious injury by vehicle a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: homicide or serious injury by vehicle ranges from a Class “D” Felony to a Class “B” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 707.6A.
Homicide by vehicle while intoxicated: Class “B” Felony (Iowa Code § 707.6A(1)) · Homicide by vehicle — reckless driving, eluding, or excessive speeding: Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 707.6A(2)) · Homicide by vehicle while drag racing: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 707.6A(3)) · Serious injury by vehicle: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 707.6A(4))
What are the penalties for homicide or serious injury by vehicle in Iowa?
Penalties for homicide or serious injury by vehicle in Iowa depend on how it is classified — from a Class “D” Felony up to a Class “B” Felony — with the ranges set by Iowa Code § 902.9; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Iowa statute covers homicide or serious injury by vehicle?
Homicide or serious injury by vehicle is governed by Iowa Code § 707.6A (Homicide or serious injury by vehicle).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.