NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. — A 59-year-old Iowa man has been convicted less than a week after fatally striking a 6-year-old boy with his pickup near the Nebraska City farmers market.
Vernon Christiansen of Percival, Iowa, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of motor vehicle homicide, possession of an open alcohol container, improper or bald tires, and a first offense for obstructed driver view. The charges include one misdemeanor and three infractions, carrying a possible sentence of up to one year in jail and/or fines totaling $1,300.
Christiansen’s conviction follows a tragic incident that occurred July 17 near 8th Street and First Corso, just behind the Veterans Memorial Building. Emergency responders were dispatched around an hour after the local farmers market opened and found that a 6-year-old boy had been fatally struck by a pickup truck. According to investigators, the truck, driven by Christiansen, was traveling east through an alley when the collision occurred.
Christiansen stayed at the scene and was later transported to a hospital for evaluation. Officers noted he smelled of alcohol and agreed to a hospital-administered blood draw. A urine test was also performed, and results from both are still pending.
During a search of his vehicle, police discovered an open container of alcohol, unopened beverages, a radar detector obstructing the driver’s view, and a rear tire with worn tread below legal safety limits. Christiansen initially faced an additional citation for third-offense DUI, and prosecutors have indicated that felony charges may be filed pending toxicology results.