A man involved in a hayride crash that injured several children in 2023 has pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
On Tuesday, Daniel Brubaker admitted to 13 counts of felony child endangerment. The charges are tied to an October 2023 hayride in Keokuk County, where Brubaker was driving a pickup truck pulling a trailer full of kids. He lost control, sending the trailer into a ditch and throwing 29 children from the ride. Three of them were taken to a nearby hospital in What Cheer with injuries.
Brubaker didn’t stay at the scene. Investigators later identified another person in the truck—David Heady Jr., a Keokuk County deputy at the time. Authorities say alcohol may have been a factor. Heady later resigned from his position.
Both men were charged in December with 13 counts of child endangerment—three for serious injuries and ten for lesser injuries. They initially pleaded not guilty.
Brubaker’s sentencing is set for September 4. Heady is scheduled to go to trial next month.
