An eastern Iowa man, who was responsible for a fatal car crash, now faces 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to lesser charges Thursday. Twenty-four year old Michael Hook of Brandon was originally charged with vehicular homicide/operating while intoxicated, which carries a sentence of 25 years in prison. Court records show Hook’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit when he crashed his car on September 7th near Palo.
A passenger, 21 year old Matthew Boyles of Urbana, died in the crash. Two other passengers were injured. On Thursday, Hook pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of vehicular homicide. Sentencing is set for March 26 in Linn County District Court.