The Story County Attorney says he’s not ready to file charges in the death of an Iowa State University student hit and killed on a road in Ames earlier this month. Campus police released the results of their investigation Thursday, naming the owner of the car that hit 20-year-old Kelly Laughery the night of December 3.
County Attorney Stephen Holmes says he wants more information. “At this point, it’s still in an investigation stage. We’re reviewing the information as it’s coming in and any additional followup or additional items that we feel are needed we’re requesting further investigation by Iowa State Department of Public Safety and the Division of Criminal Investigation.”
No charges have been filed.
On Thursday I-S-U Public Safety Commander Gene Deisinger sreleased the name of the owner of the car that hit the student, and declaring the owner was driving at the time of the fatal accident. The report said investigators have known that information since a few days after the incident. Holmes says it’s not appropriate for him to discuss “potential charges,” because of the rules pertaining to criminal matters. Holmes says they’re looking at the matter along with law-enforcement, and “if charges are filed, well, that will just come to pass.” Holmes says “I don’t know that using the term ‘suspect’ would be appropriate.
He says all the news release did was release the name of an individual who they believe they have identified as being the driver of the vehicle who struck the young woman. Holmes wouldn’t say anything more except that the investigation is continuing. The report issued by campus police said the owner of the 1992 Buick Century is a 20-year-old student from Lawler, Iowa. Investigators also reported the owner and driver of that car had been at a party before the fatal incident sometime around 4-30 that morning, and that the victim had been at another apartment building along the same road before she was hit while walking on the road, on the edge of campus.