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Indianola man turns himself in for fatal August crash, charged with vehicular homicide, sheriff's office says

32-year-old Steven Clark of Indianola is charged with two felony counts of Homicide by Vehicle, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Credit: Артем Константинов - stock.adobe.com

POLK COUNTY, Iowa — An Indianola man turned himself in to jail Tuesday following a fatal Highway 65 crash in August.

32-year-old Steven Clark of Indianola is charged with Homicide by Vehicle — Reckless Driving and Homicide by Vehicle — Drag Racing, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said 53-year-old John Schmidt of Pleasantville was driving south on the Highway 65 bypass on Aug. 26 when he lost control and crossed the median north of Army Post Road. His car was then hit by two vehicles, causing significant damage.

A September search warrant was issued for Clark's vehicle, plus two others.

The court documents read:

"When Steven Clark, the driver of the grey Ford was interviewed at the scene he described that he and the driver of the silver car, Mr. Schmidt had been involved in a road rage incident prior to the crash. The two vehicles had been traveling above 100 miles per hour prior to the crash and passing each other. Mr. Schmidt would also get in front of Mr. Clark and 'brake check' him. As Mr. Clark was in the right lane Mr. Schmidt pulled up beside him and swerved towards his truck. Mr. Schmidt then slammed on his brakes and lost control of the silver Oldsmobile."

Schmidt was pronounced dead at the scene.

Clark has since been released from the Polk County Jail on bond.

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