West Branch man suspected of OWI injures three in accident
Hunter
6/6/19
A West Branch man was taken into custody after allegedly driving drunk and causing an accident that injured three.
Authorities say at 6:11pm Wednesday night, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a call on a two-vehicle head-on collision just south of Ely. It’s believed that 35-year-old Richard Jedlicka was traveling northbound on Ely Road near Seven Sisters Road when his 2012 Ram pickup crossed the center line and hit a 2016 Kia Soul containing three people.
Jedlicka’s pickup ended up on its top in the road, while the Kia ended up in a ditch, where it caught fire. The passengers, 26 year-old Shawnee Lines and 4 year-old Hunter Ozbun, were pulled from the vehicle as it was catching fire. The driver, 29 year-old Jesse Ozbun of Marion, and the child were taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics via ambulance suffering from serious injuries. Lines was taken via air ambulance with life-threatening injuries.
Jedlicka was taken into custody for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He is being held at the Linn County Jail.
Thea accident remains under investigation, and authorities say further charges are pending.
