The holiday season is known for celebrations and traditions, but it is also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to drunk and drug-impaired driving. Iowa Law Enforcement across the state will partner with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this holiday season to remove impaired drivers from the roads and help save lives. From December 13, 2019 to January 1, 2020, motorists will see an increased presence of law enforcement.

As we prepare for festivities with family and friends, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and area law enforcement agencies, want to remind all drivers of the dangers of driving impaired. You have to choose your role before the celebration begins. Will you drink, use drugs or will you drive? Remember, even if you have a little bit to drink, you could still be over the legal limit. Whether the drug is legally prescribed or illegal, driving while drug-impaired poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers, and other road users. Remember….if you feel different, you drive different!

Sobering Statistics:

• In 2017, 45% of the drivers killed in fatal crashes who were tested for drugs, tested positive.
• According to NHTSA, 885 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver during the month of December, 2017.
• Despite the fact it’s illegal to drive when impaired by alcohol, in 2017, one person was killed every 48 minutes by a drunk driver on our nation’s roads.
• On average, an OWI could set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and more.
• The financial impact from impaired-driving crashes is devastating. Based on 2010 numbers (the most recent year for which cost data is available), impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $44 billion annually.
• On average, an OWI could set you back $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and more.
• The financial impact from impaired-driving crashes is devastating. Based on 2010 numbers (the most recent year for which cost data is available), impaired-driving crashes cost the United States $44 billion annually.

From December 13, 2018 to January 1, 2019, Iowa law enforcement officers arrested 506 impaired drivers. Also during this time frame in Iowa, there were 17 fatal crashes killing 18 people. Four of these seventeen fatal crashes involved an impaired driver. Celebrate with a Plan: Always remember to plan ahead if you will be celebrating with an impairing substance. If you plan to indulge, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Call a taxi, friend or Uber! Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take the role seriously and do not partake in alcohol or any other drugs. You are saving lives!

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests.

• Officials say 42-year old Timothy Duane Snyder, of Elk Horn, was arrested December 5th, for Violation of a No Contact Order. Snyder was held in the Audubon County Jail without bond until appearing before the Magistrate later that day and was released.  And, 39-year old Abigail Rae Lennon, of Atlantic, was charged with Burglary on December 5th. The charge stems from an investigation into an incident that took place in Kimballton in October. She appeared before the Magistrate and was released.
• 35-year old Bryan Gene Snell, of Coon Rapids, was arrested Nov. 16th and charged with Driving While Barred. The charge stems from a traffic stop that occurred near the intersection of Littlefield Dr. and Zinnia Ave. He appeared before the Magistrate the following morning and was held on a $2,000.00 bond. He was later transported to another county on outstanding warrants in that county.
• On Nov. 9th, 35-year old Brandon Barringer, of Brayton, turned himself into the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office on two outstanding warrants for Violation of Probation. He posted a $15,000.00 bond and was released.
• And, 39-year old Jeremy Daniel Schneider, of Exira, was arrested November 5th for OWI – 1st. The charge stems from a traffic stop that occurred in the 1600 block of Littlefield Drive. He was transported to and held in the Audubon County Jail until the following morning when he appeared before the Magistrate and was released.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A murder trial has been moved to Scott County for a man accused of killing an Iowa high school student almost 40 years ago. Court records show a judge agreed Monday to relocate the trial of 65-year-old Jerry Burns, of Manchester. Police arrested Burns on Dec. 19 last year, 39 years to the day after 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was killed. Her body was found the next day inside her family’s car at a Cedar Rapids mall. She had been stabbed in the face and chest.

Burns’ attorney said in a filing that pretrial publicity made it unlikely Burns could receive a fair trial in Linn County.  The trial still is scheduled to begin Feb. 10. Burns has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder.

A welfare check on a subject in Red Oak, Tuesday afternoon, resulted in the arrest of 38-year old Dustin Franklin Cross, of Red Oak. Cross was taken into custody for Assault on a Peace Officer, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Red Oak Police were called to the 100 block of East Corning Street at around 4:15-p.m. in reference to a welfare check, and made contact with Cross.

Authorities say the man became combative with officers, who were assisted at the scene by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies and Red Oak Rescue. There were no injuries. Cross was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens have honored heroic citizens and First Responders at the 2019 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held Tuesday morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.  Among them was Matthew Van Baale, of Harlan, who won an Outstanding Service Award, which is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

Iowa DPS spokesman, Sgt. Alex Dinkla told KJAN News Van Baale was recognized for his heroic efforts following an ATV accident. Dinkla said on a cold, rainy March 29, 2017, a local farmer was working with his cattle, and in the process, his 4-wheeler overturned. The farmer suffered serious injuries. He tried to crawl out and obtain help on his own, but passed out due to his injuries. Minutes turned to hours. Dinkla says while Van Baale was driving in the area, he sensed something wasn’t right, and eventually found the man and called 9-1-1 to summon rescue personnel. “Thanks to his efforts and his determination that day, that gentleman is still with us today. Matthew was awarded the Governor’s Lifesaving Award for Outstanding Service.”

Matthew Van Baale

A total of 20 individuals from communities across the state were recognized for their courageous responses. This was the first year the two awards programs were combined for one very special event that featured the Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard and the National Anthem performed by Simon Estes.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program recognizes recipients in four different categories including:

• Lifesaving with Valor, which is awarded to those individuals who at the risk of their own life, attempted to save that of another.
• Lifesaving, which is awarded to those individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual, but did not put their own life in jeopardy.
• Meritorious, which is awarded to those individuals in recognition of courageous and unselfish service rendered during a time of distress.
• Outstanding Service, which is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards honored 13 civilians:

•    Kenyon Murray – Outstanding Service Award, Cedar Rapids
•    Matthew Van Baale – Outstanding Award, Harlan
•    Sarah “Sally” Dunshee – Lifesaving Award, Ankeny
•    Lee Gard – Lifesaving Award, Grimes
•    MariClare Thinnes-Culver – Lifesaving Award, West Des Moines
•    Sarah Thomas – Outstanding Service Award, Des Moines
•    Nicholas Jaschen – Lifesaving Award, Sumner
•    Luke Preussner – Lifesaving Award, Manchester
•    Daniel Roby – Lifesaving Award, Des Moines
•    Nathan Thayer – Lifesaving Award, Prole
•    Mehl Wright – Lifesaving Award, Keokuk
•    Ryan Cripe – Lifesaving with Valor, Fort Dodge
•    Gregory “Gus” Loehr – Lifesaving with Valor, Callendar

The Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor recognized seven First Responders from two fire departments:

•    Firefighter – Joshua Myers, Sigourney Fire and Rescue
•    Firefighter – Joseph White, Sigourney Fire and Rescue
•   Firefighter – Zachery Steinhart, Sigourney Fire and Rescue

•    Captain Rich Damm, Ottumwa Fire Department
•    Firefighter Gary Doud, Ottumwa Fire Department
•    Firefighter Andrew Ewing, Ottumwa Fire Department
•    Firefighter Will Munley, Ottumwa Fire Department

To make future nominations, or for general information on the Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards, visit the DPS website: www.dps.iowa.gov.