Lang
6/13/25
Criminal charges have been filed following a car vs. UTV crash that killed a West Liberty man last year.
The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened just before 7:45 on the night of July 6th, 2024. The official crash report indicates 61-year-old Thomas Carmack was driving a 2008 Mazda CX-9 northeast on Cedar Valley Road near Tipton when he drifted into oncoming traffic as four utility terrain vehicles were headed southwest.
Two of the UTV’s were able to avoid Carmack, but the third was hit. The driver of the UTV that was hit, 63-year-old Thomas Brown, was thrown from his Polaris. He and his passenger, 59-year-old Diana Brown, both of West Liberty, were taken to University of Iowa Health Care.
Thomas Brown later succumbed to his injuries. Diana Brown suffered multiple broken ribs, a collapsed lung and other injuries.
Carmack was also taken to UIHC. Investigators say he showed signs of impairment, and a blood sample taken about four hours after the crash indicated he may have had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit for driving.
Carmack was allegedly going about 25 miles per hour over the posted 35 mile-per-hour speed limit.
Carmack is now charged with two counts of Serious Injury by Vehicle and one count each of Homicide by Vehicle Caused by Reckless Driving and Homicide By Vehicle While Operating Under the Influence. If convicted on all charges, Carmack could be sentenced to up to 45 years in prison.