Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 707.6A — Homicide or serious injury by vehicle
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 707: Homicide and Related Crimes, Iowa Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Iowa Code § 707.6A
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. A person commits a class “B” felony when the person unintentionally causes the death of another by operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, as prohibited by section 321J.2.
1A. Upon a plea or verdict of guilty of a violation of subsection 1, the defendant shall surrender to the court any Iowa license or permit and the court shall forward the license or permit to the department with a copy of the order of conviction. Upon receipt of the order of conviction, the department shall revoke the defendant’s driver’s license or nonresident operating privilege for a period of six years. The defendant shall not be eligible for a temporary restricted license for at least two years after the revocation.
1B. Upon a plea or verdict of guilty of a violation of subsection 1, the court shall order the defendant, at the defendant’s expense, to do the following:
a. Enroll, attend, and satisfactorily complete a course for drinking drivers, as provided in section 321J.22.
b. Submit to evaluation and treatment or rehabilitation services.
1C. A driver’s license or nonresident operating privilege shall not be reinstated until proof of completion of the requirements of subsection 1B is presented to the department.
1D. Where the program is available and appropriate for the defendant, the court shall also order the defendant to participate in a reality education substance use disorder prevention program as provided in section 321J.24.
2. A person commits a class “C” felony when the person unintentionally causes the death of another by any of the following means:
a. Driving a motor vehicle in a reckless manner with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, in violation of section 321.277.
(1) For purposes of this paragraph “a”, a person’s use of an electronic device while driving a motor vehicle shall be considered prima facie evidence that the person was driving the motor vehicle in a reckless manner with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, in violation of section 321.277.
(2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply to any of the following:
(a) A person using an electronic device in a voice-activated or hands-free mode.
(b) A person listed in section 321.276, subsection 2, paragraph “b”.
(3) For purposes of this paragraph “a”, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Electronic device” means the same as defined in section 321.276.
(b) “Use” means the same as defined in section 321.276.
(c) “Voice-activated or hands-free mode” means the same as defined in section 321.276.
b. Eluding or attempting to elude a pursuing law enforcement vehicle, in violation of section 321.279, if the death of the other person directly or indirectly results from the violation.
c. Exceeding a speed limit established or lawfully posted pursuant to section 262.68, section 321.236, subsection 5 or 11, section 321.236, subsection 13, paragraph “a”, section 321.285, section 321.288, subsection 2, paragraph “f”, or section 321.289, 321.290, 321.293, 321.295, or 461A.36, by twenty-five miles per hour or more, if the violation is the proximate cause of the death of the other person. This paragraph does not apply to a member of a public safety agency, as defined in section 34.1, performing official duties.
3. A person commits a class “D” felony when the person unintentionally causes the death of another while drag racing, in violation of section 321.278.
4. A person commits a class “D” felony when the person unintentionally causes a serious injury, as defined in section 702.18, by any of the means described in subsection 1 or 2.
5. As used in this section, “motor vehicle” includes any vehicle defined as a motor vehicle in section 321.1.
6. Except for the purpose of sentencing under section 321J.2, subsections 3, 4, and 5, a conviction or deferral of judgment for a violation of this section, where a violation of section 321J.2 is admitted or proved, shall be treated as a conviction or deferral of judgment for a violation of section 321J.2 for the purposes of chapters 321, 321A, and 321J, and section 907.3, subsection 1.
7. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 901.5 and 907.3, the court shall not defer judgment or sentencing, or suspend execution of any part of the sentence applicable to the defendant for a violation of subsection 1, or for a violation of subsection 4 involving the operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
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Legal terms used in this section
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