ANKENY, IOWA — A drunk driver plowed into the rear of another vehicle on Interstate 35 near Ankeny on Friday morning, killing a person, before he fled the scene on foot.
Ankeny police say that on Friday, June 10, 2016 at approximately 6:45 AM, officers responded to a collision involving four vehicles at mile marker 92, southbound on Interstate 35. As a result of the collision, one fatality occurred and one person was transported to the hospital with injuries. One of the drivers involved in the crash fled the scene on foot, however officers apprehended this person.
Killed in the accident was 30-year-old Alexander Koch of Ankeny.
Injured in the accident was Zachary McMahon of Ankeny.
The investigation continues, but preliminarily, police said Zachary McMahon was driving a 2010 Subaru southbound on I-35. Alexander Koch was a passenger in the vehicle driven by McMahon which was struck in the rear by a drunk driver, William J. Phipps. Koch was later pronounced deceased at the scene by the Polk County Medical Examiner’s Office. McMahon was treated at an area hospital for a variety of unknown injuries. Phipps was driving his 2011 Chevrolet Silverado which he abandoned and fled from the scene on foot.
William Joseph Phipps is age 45 and lives in Boone, Iowa.
Phipps was apprehended in the area of 18th & Delaware Avenue, approximately one-half mile from the scene of the accident. Phipps was barred from driving according to his record. Phipps was taken into custody by Ankeny police officers.
The investigation of the crash is ongoing. The following charges will be filed against William Joseph Phipps:
Homicide by Vehicle-Operating Under the Influence-707.6A(1)-Class B Felony
Homicide by Vehicle- Reckless Driving-707.6A(2)-Class C Felony
Serious Injury by Vehicle- 707.6A (4)-Class D Felony
Reckless Driving Causing Serious Injury- 707.6A(4)-Class D Felony
Leaving the scene of Accident-Death- 321.261(4)-Class D Felony
Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense- 321J.2(2)-Class D Felony
Leaving the Scene of Accident- Serious Injury-321.261(3)-Aggravated Misdemeanor
Driving While Barred-321.561-Aggravated Misdemeanor
This guy is a total asshole. Why was he the one who survived? The innocent ones are the people who are taken while the F——G assholes survive & continue driving over & over to kill more people. Why didn’t he die instead? What in the H–L is wrong with our justice system when they let this freak keep his car keys? Oh yeah, that does good taking away his license (sarcasm). BS! Don’t you think he could still drive without a license? Idiots are running our law systems now. Take away the keys, the car, whatever. Put them in jail for life. That will prevent these problems. Think of the lives saved if these freaks weren’t on the streets. I bet 2 weeks from now he will be out doing the same thing. For those of you texting & driving or nodding off while driving… this is as bad as being drunk!
This guy is pure trash! I hope that poor person he just killed haunts him for the rest of his worthless life. Firing squad is what he needs. Worthless murdering trash!