Manson man, 19, charged in 2008 fatality

A Manson teenager is charged with vehicular homicide as a result of a two-car crash that happened almost a year ago.

Grant M. Schreier, 19, appeared in Webster County Magistrate Court Thursday. The charge stems from an Oct. 27, 2008, crash that killed Shyler A. Thoma, 18, a senior at Manson Northwest Webster High School.

Schreier was also charged with speeding and failure to stop. Homicide by vehicle is a Class C felony, punishable with up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Schreier was ordered held in the Webster County Jail under a $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 15.

According to an Iowa State Patrol report, Schreier was driving recklessly immediately before the crash.

Investigation and reconstruction of the collision indicate that Thoma was driving north on Webster County Road P29, when his vehicle was broadsided by Schreier's when Schreier didn't stop at a stop sign at the intersection of P29 and 200th Street, According to the report, Schreier was driving at 86 mph moments before the collision with Thoma's vehicle. The speed limit on 200th Street is 50 mph.

The report states there were indications of Schreier braking to reduce speed, but "there was significant speed coming into the intersection to indicate Schreier showed no intention of stopping at the posted stop sign."

Thoma died at the scene.

According to Webster Count Attorney Ricki Osborn, it took nearly a year to bring charges in the case because her office wanted to make certain there was enough evidence to file. She said the case had been investigated by her predecessor, Tim Schott, who resigned last spring.

Contact Angela Burch at (515) 573-2141 or aburch@messengernews.net