The trial date for a Newton man facing charges for vehicular homicide has been rescheduled for September after a pre-trial conference took place in Jasper County District Court Monday morning.
Alex M. Spangenburg, 23, was arrested in connection to a fatal motorcycle crash on Oct. 22, 2016 in Newton.
Jasper County Attorney Mike Jacobsen said he and Spangenburg’s attorney Jill Eimermann met briefly Monday to inform the judge that both sides would not be ready for trial July 19.
Jacobsen said the trial was continued to Sept. 27 with a pre-trial conference set for Aug. 21.
Spangenburg turned himself in Feb. 20, following a warrant for his arrest.
In the October incident, at approximately 2:15 a.m., the Newton Police Department was called to a motorcycle wreck near the intersection of West Fourth Street South and South 15th Avenue West near Maytag Park. Police released in February that speed and alcohol consumption are believed to be factors in the crash.
Bret Rice, 26, of Des Moines and formerly of Reasnor — was pronounced dead at the scene. Spangenburg was transported by air ambulance to Mercy Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. Neither man was wearing a helmet.
According to Newton Police, the motorcycle was traveling south in the 1300 block of West Fourth Street when the driver, believed to be Spangenburg, struck the curb on the east side of the roadway. The motorcycle slid on its side and struck the south curb along South 15th Avenue West, then vaulted and struck a utility pole.
Spangenburg had a revoked license and didn’t have a motorcycle endorsement. A subsequent blood test indicated that Spangenburg was operating the motorcycle with a blood alcohol content in excess of .163 at the time of the accident.
After his recovery and the completion of the investigation, Spangenburg was charged with vehicular homicide, a Class B felony. If convicted, Spangenburg could face up to 25 years of imprisonment.
Contact Kayla Langmaid at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or klangmaid@newtondailynews.com