An Indianola man is facing multiple felony charges in South Dakota after a Fourth of July UTV crash claimed the life of a 9-year-old Iowa girl and left another teen injured.
According to South Dakota authorities, 38-year-old Zachary Berger was driving a utility terrain vehicle north of Pierre when it overturned after he attempted to turn the vehicle around. Berger was not hurt in the crash.
Prosecutors have charged Berger with eight offenses, including vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, driving under the influence, abuse or cruelty to a minor, and failing to ensure a child passenger was wearing a seatbelt.
The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office says Berger is considered a habitual offender because of his prior criminal record. If convicted on the charges, he could face a life sentence under South Dakota law.
Court records from the Iowa Department of Corrections show Berger has several previous felony and serious misdemeanor convictions dating back to 2008, all stemming from Black Hawk County.
Authorities identified the child who died as a 9-year-old girl from Waterloo. A 16-year-old passenger from Des Moines suffered minor injuries in the rollover.
Source: South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Iowa Department of Corrections.
