MASON CITY – A Mason City man who was taken to the hospital after he drove his pickup into a train is guilty of felony drunk driving, but avoided prison.
Monday morning, September 2, 2020 at 1:48 AM, Mason City police officers responded to a vehicle that had collided with a train in the 500 block of 6th Street SW. Police say a 1999 Dodge Dakota was eastbound when it collided with a Union Pacific train traveling north. The owner and driver of the Dodge Dakota, 43-year-old Matthew Bernhardt of Mason City, was taken to Mercy One and treated for injuries.
Police said the collision would continue to be under investigation.
Later, a Mason City police department spokesman told NIT that Bernhardt was arrested on September 13, 2019 in connection to the accident.
“Officers conducted an investigation into the incident following the crash. Bernhardt had been observed drinking by officers in a licensed liquor establishment. He had signs of drinking and impairment at the crash scene after hitting the train. Officers applied for a search warrant and obtained a blood sample for testing with resulted in excess of 0.08. This is third offense OWI (a felony). Bernhardt was also charged with failure to stop at a railroad crossing.”
As a result of the charges, Bernhardt accepted a plea bargain. He pled guilty to third-offense operating while intoxicated and was sentenced to 30 days in jail with a suspended 5-year prison term. He must pay $4,482.07 in fines and court fees.
Didn’t he just get his license back after his last one?? Yeah that didn’t last long. Danger to society!!
When did Matt become too scared to put the judges name in the article?
At least he didn’t kill anybody, yet!!
Is this guy related to the people that have the insurance business on s Monroe?
No
Yes!
Go on the run. Drunk and free. You’re a legend now.
Who was the judge in this case? Or where would I go to find out who the judge was? Thank you.
Go to Iowa courts
matt, got the crystal ball out again?? can predict the future??
Monday morning, September 2, 2020 at 1:48 AM
if I was that guy id stay home on sept 2 2020 since matt already knows what is gunna happen
WTF good does it do to have DUI penalties then? I thought upon conviction of the 3rd DUI, it was supposed to be prison time.
Looks like he has had about 5 Deweys, by the looks of Iowa courts
Just what good does it do to lock him up? At least now he is paying taxes, has a job and can pay his fines.
I’m pretty sure if he were to hit and kill someone, they wouldn’t be paying taxes. So what makes the difference on who is or isn’t paying taxes? This guy has a problem, that’s very apparent, so how many more do-overs does he get.
When he does kill someone then throw the book at him. Until then you are just guessing. Hopefully it is you who gets hit. The world could do with less whiners
When you have lost a loved one because of them being killed by a drunk driver, then maybe I will listen to you. Until then, I hope this guy gets the help he needs and I pray that he doesn’t kill anyone prior to his getting help.
At: Anonymous, March 1, 2020 at 8:33 am
You wouldn’t be so funny if it was your mother he killed.
You should be a comedian, your so funny.
5 dui’s ??? Yes let’s just let him run around free… you say it’s just guess until he kills someone THEN throw the book at him, plus you hopes it the poster saying he needs consequences and help?? You’re just as sick as Matt. 5 DUI’s excuse me, don’t Throw the book at him until he kills someone, yep logical reason of an addict. He should be put away BEFORE he does kill someone. His track record is going that way. Worse each time, crashed a train, next time a vehicle with people in it and possible fatality. These are only the 5 he’s been caught, he’s drunk a lot. At his rate it’s more likely he will hurt someone, hopefully if he continues down this path it is himself only he hurts it kills. Sadly, problem solved. But obviously he doesn’t learn, thinks it’s ok and gets by with no consequences. If you see this man , it’s probable his been drinking, if so call him in, protect the public.
He doesn’t deserve to be working and who cares about him paying taxes? No one. He’s a 5x criminal and felon. He doesn’t deserve the privilege to work, pay taxes or walk free. Period.
he hit a train? sounds like this guy might have a problem with the booze?