(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The jury trial for Pottawattamie County man charged in connection with a Dec. 2024 fatal UTV crash, was supposed to have been held Tuesday, but was instead moved to July 1^st at 9:30-a.m. In Pott. County District Court. 85-year-old Gene Fritz, of Oakland, faces a charge of Homicide by Vehicle – Reckless Driving, in the December 26, 2024 incident that resulted in the death of 83-year-old Sandra Madron. Fritz previously entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

The accident happened at 570 North Highway Street in Oakland. Deputies arriving on the scene found the UTV on the sidewalk and Madron lying on her left side. She was transported to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs and later died from her injuries. Fritz had told deputies that he was heading home at the time of the crash and often drove his UTV on the sidewalk because he “can’t see well,” and that he “drives very slow.” He has said he didn’t see Sandra Madron until he struck her, because “she must have been wearing dark clothing.”

Further investigation revealed that Fritz did not have a valid driver’s license, and the UTV he was operating was not registered for roadway use.