SIOUX COUNTY – An Iowa drunk driver accelerated his fancy Audi A4 to 126 miles per hour and then crashed, lethally ejecting a passenger, then got caught driving drunk while awaiting trial, but was sentenced to just probation.
Thomas Kunstle, Sioux County Attorney, announced that 22-year-old Kaleb Richard Dean DeBey of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced in Sioux County District Court for the crimes of Homicide By Vehicle – Reckless Driving, a Class C Felony, and two counts of Operating While Under the Influence, both Serious Misdemeanors. Assistant Sioux County Attorney Lori Ehlers prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Iowa in conjunction with the Iowa State Patrol.
The first case arose on July 30, 2023, when DeBey (pictured at top) operated a 2020 Audi A4 westbound on 300th Street approaching Fillmore Avenue, near Rock Valley, Iowa. DeBey was driving at least 126 MPH, failed to navigate a curve, left the roadway striking a culvert causing an unrestrained passenger to be ejected and killed. The Iowa Highway Patrol conducted an investigation revealing DeBey’s alcohol concentration was 0.157 and controlled substances were present, resulting in Vehicular Homicide and OWI charges.
Approximately one month later, on September 1, 2023, DeBey was stopped by police and was again found to be operating a motor vehicle with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.101, resulting in a second OWI charge.
The State and DeBey reached a plea agreement where each side would make their own sentencing recommendations, and the Court would determine the sentence. On August 19, 2024, a sentencing hearing was held. The State recommended the court impose the 10-year indeterminate prison sentence, or in the alternative, recommended a jail sentence which could have been up to two years. Counsel for DeBey recommended probation and no jail time.
The Court ruled that DeBey’s prison term would be suspended and ordered DeBey to five (5) years of probation with the Iowa Department of Correction. DeBey was also ordered to complete a substance abuse evaluation and comply with any recommendations. The court further ordered DeBey to serve seven (7) days county jail between the two OWIs, but was given credit for the 11 days he previously served.
Pursuant to the court’s ruling, DeBey will not have to serve any addition incarceration.