(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The case of a Pottawattamie County man charged connection with the death of a woman struck by a UTV, will head to trial in mid-May.  As previously reported, 83-year-old Sandra Madron, of Oakland, was struck by a UTV that was operating on a sidewalk in Oakland, at around 4:30-p.m. on Dec. 26, 2024.  An investigation determined 84-year-old Gene Fritz, of Oakland, was heading home from a bar after having a couple of beers, and authorities say as was often the case for him, he drove on the sidewalk because, as he explained to Deputies, he can’t see well. Fritz said also, he “drives very slow.” He acknowledged he didn’t see Madron until his UTV struck her. He told authorities “she must have been wearing dark clothing.

Deputies found the woman laying on her left side, with a member of the Oakland Rescue Squad providing assistance at the scene. She died from her injuries at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs.

Deputies conducted a traffic investigation and asked Fritz to undergo field sobriety tests due to his admission of drinking alcohol and being involved in the accident. Fritz complied with the tests and a preliminary breath test (PBT). His daughter-in-law told KJAN that Mr. Fritz passed both tests (That information was not included in the Sheriff’s report or any subsequent updates).

Deputies also discovered that Fritz did not have a valid driver’s license and that the UTV was not registered for roadway use. Fritz was released to his son, while the UTV was impounded. He was  charged last month with Homicide by Vehicle/Reckless Driving. Fritz posted a $10,000 bond and was released.

His jury trial is set to begin May 13th at 9:30-a.m.