Lang
8/16/25
Iowa City Police say a mobile home resident intentionally struck five people with his car near a homeless camp near his residence.
According to arrest reports, 29-year-old Roman Aguilar Ventura of the Hilltop manufactured housing community intentionally drove his 2011 Toyota Camry into five people near the intersection of Southgate Avenue and Waterfront Drive just before 10:45 Friday night, then fled the scene. One person suffered a gash to their forehead, another had a cut on their leg, a third suffered an injury to the back of their neck, and the other two complained of pain. Police say Aguilar Ventura and his alleged victims had been involved in a dispute prior to the incident.
Aguilar Ventura’s vehicle was found nearby a short time later, and he was arrested at his nearby trailer. He allegedly showed signs of intoxication and refused breath testing. A blood sample was sent to the Department of Criminal Investigation for testing.
Aguilar Ventura is charged with five counts each of Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury and Assault Using a Weapon and one count each of Operating While Intoxicated – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident, Driving While Barred, and Driving While Revoked. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 44 years in prison.