Sibley, Iowa — A Spirit Lake woman who is accused of Vehicular Homicide in connection with a traffic crash in Osceola County last summer has entered a plea of “Not Guilty” to the charge.
Authorities say Ann Vanderpool was eastbound on Highway 9, near Nettle Avenue, on Saturday morning, June 10th of last year, when her car crossed the center line and collided head-on with a westbound vehicle, killing that vehicle’s driver, 48-year old Travis Mier of Spirit Lake, and his passenger, 5-year old Elliot Mier.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, Vanderpool was charged with two counts of Vehicular Homicide in connection with the deaths. Troopers say Vanderpool consented to providing a blood sample, which was tested by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Authorities say that test revealed that Vanderpool’s blood alcohol level was 0.145. Iowa law sets the threshold for drunk driving at 0.08.