Two Teens Charged in Iowa City Crash That Killed 22-Year-Old Woman

Charges have been filed against two Iowa City teenagers, who authorities say caused the death of a young woman in a motor vehicle accident this spring.

The Johnson County Attorney's Office says two 17-year-old males have both been charged with Homicide by Vehicle (Joint Criminal Conduct /Aiding and Abetting) and Involuntary Manslaughter (Joint Criminal Conduct /Aiding and Abetting) in a Saturday, May 27, 2023 accident in Iowa City that killed 22-year-old Jennifer Russell of Waterloo.

The May 27 incident, at the intersection of East Court Street and South 7th Avenue in Iowa City, happened at approximately 10:45 p.m. It involved a 2008 Saturn Vue, a GMC Acadia, and a 2017 Chevy Malibu (driven by Russell).

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According to the press release from the Johnson County Attorney's Office, "Witnesses reported seeing the VUE driving next to a white 2012 GMC Acadia on East Court St. traveling toward the intersection at a high rate of speed."

Investigators say that information from the vehicles and the cell phones of the drivers determined the VUE and Acadia were "next to each other on East Court St., driving east at a high speed. Both juveniles were driving at a speed of at least 25 miles over the posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour and failed to stop at a stop sign. The VUE struck Russell’s vehicle as she entered the intersection causing the vehicle to strike the Acadia."

The Iowa State Patrol and KCRG TV-9 have both identified the 17-year-old drivers as Kesean Ford and Elijah Seals, both of Iowa City. The Iowa State Patrol reported that Ford was driving the Saturn Vue and Seals was behind the wheel of the GMC Acadia.

The Johnson County Attorney’s Office says they will attempt to move the cases from juvenile court to Johnson County District Court.