Drag-racing suspect arrested in incident linked to Colfax man’s death

ANKENY — The driver allegedly responsible for the death of a Colfax resident in late August has been arrested.

According to a press release from Ankeny Police Department, Brandon Ferin, 21, of Johnston, was taken into custody Dec. 11 and charged with misdemeanor drag racing and homicide or serious injury by vehicle, a class D felony.

At around 8:37 p.m. Aug. 25, Ankeny police officers were sent to the 400 block of South Ankeny Boulevard for a two-motor vehicle collision. Upon arrival, officers found that a pickup truck had left the scene and went to a nearby McDonald’s parking lot, where it allegedly struck a second vehicle.

Both vehicles were found by officers in the parking lot of a nearby Taco John’s.

“The two occupants of the truck were pronounced dead at the scene,” the release said. “The two occupants in the vehicle that was struck by the truck were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.”

The two victims in the accident were Brad Stover, 41, of Colfax, and Ronald Girtz, 50, of Pine City, Minn.

Investigators were able to conclude after an investigation a second vehicle was involved and included factors leading up to the crash were affected by speed and drag racing.

According to Polk County Jail phone systems, Ferin has been released from the Polk County Jail.

Contact Orrin Shawl at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or oshawl@newtondailynews.com