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Man convicted of 2 crimes in accident that injured girl, 11

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November 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A jury has convicted a Waterloo man of two crimes but acquitted him of a third in an accident that injured his girlfriend’s daughter. Black Hawk County court records say 53-year-old James Smith was found guilty Monday of serious injury by vehicle and of leaving the scene of the accident. He was found not guilty of child endangerment causing serious injury. The records don’t show a sentencing date. Police say the 11-year-old girl was injured April 18 when Smith drove out of the couple’s driveway in Waterloo.

The girl’s mother, 33-year-old Anita Nelson, told officers she didn’t know who struck the girl and denied Smith was involved. She’s pleaded not guilty to making a false report. The records say her trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 4.