WATERLOO – This now-suspended Iowa cop rocketed off on his motorcycle with his girlfriend passenger after countless booze beverages, allegedly, then crashed his bike at over 100 mph, costing the woman with “a heart of pure gold” her life, and in the aftermath, he got himself a donation check, a new motorcycle, and two fresh felonies from Brenna Bird to deal with.
On Saturday June 1, 2024, at approximately 10:12 PM, consolidated dispatch in Waterloo took a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a motorcycle at the intersection of Washington Street and Mitchell Ave in Waterloo, Iowa. Waterloo Police and Fire personnel responded and located a female and male on the roadway. Reportedly, the motorcycle was northbound on Highway 218 between San Marnan Drive and Mitchell Ave when the motorcycle left the roadway and struck the barrier wall in the median.
The female, identified as Jenna Mills of Waterloo, was pronounced deceased on scene. According to an obituary, “Jenna was the store manager for Flowerama, a role that allowed her love for flowers, plants and her creative spirit to flourish … (she) had a smile that could light up a room, a laugh that was beyond contagious, and a heart of pure gold.”
The male was identified as off-duty Police Officer Keaton Northup (pictured at top) and was transported to a local hospital for his injuries. Per Waterloo police departmental policy, the Iowa State Patrol was contacted to investigate the vehicle fatality. This investigation apparently was on-going ever since.
On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Waterloo Police Department was notified by the Iowa Attorney General’s Office that officer Keaton Northup has been charged with felony crimes for his actions. Court records show Northrup is charged with:
– HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE – OPERATING UNDER THE INFLUENCE – 06/01/2024 – CLASS B FELONY
– HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE – RECKLESS DRIVING – 06/01/2024 – CLASS C FELONY
Officer Keaton Northup was previously put on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation, Waterloo police say, and they are refusing to release any more information in the matter.
According to news reports from KCRG, Northrup had a blood-alcohol level at .292 after the crash, and had drank numerous booze beverages prior to mounting his motorcycle that night and zooming off with his passenger at over 100 miles per hour. They also reported that “Northup has bought a new motorcycle and has been seen driving the bike after visiting a bar.”
Northrup is also seen smiling in a photo on Facebook as he accepted a check from a local charity:
