Trial pushed back to May in vehicular homicide case

The trial for a man facing seven charges in the multi-vehicle crash that killed a Newton woman last fall has been postponed again, this time to May.

Originally scheduled to stand trial for vehicular homicide, a Class B felony, on March 3, and then on March 24, 47-year-old Roger Alan Hofer of Cambridge now is scheduled appear in Jasper County court for his trial on May 5. Additional charges against Hofer include two counts of serious injury by vehicle, Class D felonies; leaving the scene of a death accident, a Class D felony; leaving the scene of a serious injury accident, an aggravated misdemeanor; and habitual offender.

Barbara Purtilo, a 62-year-old Newton native, was killed Aug. 29, 2009, after the mini-van driven by her daughter — Karen Finch, 39, of Baxter — was hit head-on by a Honda Civic about five miles west of Baxter. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the Civic — driven by Erika Trafford, 26, of Baxter — was sideswipped by Hofer’s vehicle after he crossed the center line on Highway F17, causing Trafford to collide with Finch. Hofer allegedly fled the scene and was located several hours later at his home.

Both Finch and Trafford were transported for medical treatment for serious injuries following the accident.

Purtilo graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1964 and is survived by her husband, Dennis, of Newton and her daughters, Finch and Kathy Pickett of Newton.