Iowa man sentenced for vehicular manslaughter transferred to Iowa correctional facility

PALO ALTO COUNTY, Iowa (KTIV) – A man was transported to an Iowa facility to begin his prison sentence Friday afternoon for his role in a fatal crash.

On Wednesday, October 23, the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office transferred Brian Michael Freeman, 47, to the Iowa Medical Triage Center in Oakdale, Iowa.

Palo Alto deputies announced the transfer on Friday, October 25 through a posting to the sheriff’s office. Facebook page.

Palo Alto officers say both the transfer and sentence stem from a fatal two-vehicle crash that took place in 2022.

“Freeman was the driver of a motor vehicle that killed Landon Richard Schiek (26) in a crash near Cilindro Iowa on June 12, 2022,” the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office said.

Documents say the accident took place at 10:07 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2022, as Freeman was traveling north on Highway 18 in a Chevrolet Silverado.

Authorities say Freeman’s vehicle crossed the center line of the road and collided with Schiek’s vehicle that was traveling east at the time.

Documents say Freeman told officers at the scene that he had been drinking. Officers then executed a search warrant for a blood alcohol test.

Officers say the blood test reported by Freeman resulted in a blood alcohol count of .117%. After the accident, Freeman was booked into the Palo Alto County Jail.

Freeman was transferred to the facility after being sentenced in Palo Alto County District Court on Friday, October 11. Freeman was sentenced to serve an indeterminate term not to exceed 25 years.

“Following a trial that began on August 6, 2024 and ended on August 9, 2024, Freeman was found guilty of homicide by vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a class B felony.” the Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office said.

After the trial, Freeman was booked into the Palo Alto County Jail to await sentencing, according to deputies.

Freeman’s driver’s license was suspended for six years by the Iowa Department of Transportation, according to court documents.

Additionally, Freeman will be required to complete a drunk driving course and participate in rehabilitation services. The documents say Freeman will also have to pay $150,000 in restitution.

Following sentencing, Freeman was placed in the custody of the Iowa Department of Corrections until he could be transferred to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale, Iowa.

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