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Iowa man pleads guilty in fatal 2019 drunken driving case

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January 30th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A northwestern Iowa man has pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the drunken driving death last year of his cousin. The Sioux City Journal reports that 39-year-old Darrick Toel, of Le Mars, pleaded guilty Thursday to vehicular homicide while driving recklessly and to operating while intoxicated. In exchange, a more serious charge of vehicular homicide while driving intoxicated was dropped.

Under the deal, Toel also agreed to an 11-year prison term. Authorities estimated Toel was traveling 90 mph on July 1 when he lost control of his car and struck a tree. Toel’s passenger, 37-year-old Ryan Toel of Struble, died two days later from his injuries.