DUBUQUE – A methed Iowa man who stole a car and caused a fatal auto accident now faces a homicide charge and other serious charges as he await trial.
On December 5, 2021, at approximately 12:37 p.m. Dubuque Police responded to the intersection of 5th Street and Central Avenue for a motor vehicle crash. The investigation revealed Branden Authement, 32, of Dubuque stole a 2000 Toyota Echo from the gas station parking lot at 14th Street/Central Avenue just before the crash. Authement traveled south on Central Avenue in the stolen vehicle disregarding red traffic lights at 9th Street, 7th Street, and 5th Street before crashing into a 2010 Jeep being driven by Anthony Livens, 62, of Dubuque.
Authement was transported to UnityPoint Finley Hospital and later transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment. Pursuant to a search warrant a sample of Authement’s blood was obtained and showed the presence of methamphetamine.
Livens was transported to MercyOne Dubuque for treatment.
The passenger in the Liven’s vehicle was identified as Nancy Meisenburg, 54, of Dubuque. Meisenburg was transported to MercyOne Dubuque where she died from her injuries.
On February 4, 2022, Authement was served arrest warrants on the following charges. Homicide by Vehicle-Operating Under the Influence a class “B” felony punishable by 25 years in prison, Homicide by Vehicle-Reckless Driving a class “C” felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, Involuntary Manslaughter a class “D” felony punishable by 5 years in prison, Serious Injury by Vehicle a class “D” felony punishable by 5 years in prison, and Theft 2nd Degree a class “D” felony punishable by 5 years in prison.
Authement remains in Dubuque County jail on a $500,000 cash bond.
